Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Is Presented in the Following Set of USDA Forest Service Management Bulletins for Region 8

Land and Resource Management Plan United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service Chattahoochee-Oconee Southern Region National Forests

Management Bulletin R8-MB 113 A January 2004 The revision of the Land and Resource Management Plan for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is presented in the following set of USDA Forest Service Management Bulletins for Region 8:

Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Revision of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan. 2004. R8-MB 113C. Atlanta, GA. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region.

Summary of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Revision of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan. 2004. R8-MB 113D. Atlanta, GA. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region.

Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Revision of the Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan. 2004. R8-MB 113B. Atlanta, GA. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region.

Appendices to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Revision of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan. 2004. R8-MB 113F. Atlanta, GA. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region.

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan. 2004. R8-MB 113A. Atlanta, GA. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region.

Appendices to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan. 2004. R8-MB 113E. Atlanta, GA. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Region.

The original distribution of these documents included, at a minimum, a printed copy of the Record of Decision and the Summary, as well as a CD containing all of the documents in their entirety and allocation maps. For further information, refer to the Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forests website: www.fs.fed.us/conf.

The cover - The cover graphic shows National Forest (dark gray) in the context of states, interstate corridors, and surrounding metropolitan statistical areas (medium gray) from Census Bureau year 2000 data. The encircling border of international symbols typifies some of the mounting use pressures affecting the Chattahoochee-Oconee NF.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326- W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Land and Resource Management Plan Revision for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests

Chattahoochee National Forest – Banks, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Habersham, Lumpkin, Murray, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield Counties

Oconee National Forest – Greene, Jasper, Jones, Monroe, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Putnam Counties

State of Georgia, USA

Responsible Agency: USDA - Forest Service Responsible Official: Robert Jacobs, Regional Forester USDA - Forest Service, Southern Region 1720 Peachtree Road NW Atlanta GA 30309-9102

For Information Contact: Kathleen Atkinson, Forest Supervisor Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests 1755 Cleveland Highway Gainesville, GA 30501 Telephone: (770) 297-3000

January 2004

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CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER - 1 INTRODUCTION General 1 Description of the Planning Area 1 Adaptive Management Approach 1 Purpose of the Forest Plan 2 Relationship of the Forest Plan to Other Documents 2 Plan Structure 3 Plan Response to the Issues 4 Summary of The Issues For Forest Plan Revision 4 Decisions Made in Forest Plans 6 Relationship of the Plan to Projects 7

CHAPTER 2 - FORESTWIDE DIRECTION Introduction 1 General Forestwide Direction 3 Terrestrial Plants and Animals and Their Associated Habitats 4 T & E and Sensitive/Locally Rare Species 12 Old Growth 16 Watershed Management (Water Quality, Aquatic Habitats, and Soils) 19 Wood Products 25 Aesthetics/Scenery Management 28 Recreation Opportunities/Experiences 31 Wilderness Management/Roadless Areas 36 Forest Health 38 Special Areas and Rare Communities 41 Wild And Scenic Rivers 43 Access/Road Management 44 Red-cockaded Woodpecker 46 Minerals 47 Special Uses 49 Fire Management 52 Public Affairs, Interpretative Services, and Conservation Education 56 Ecosystem Management 58 State And Private Forestry 60 Heritage Resources 62 Range (Oconee Only) 65 Infrastructure 67 Lands 68 Air Quality Management 71

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CHAPTER 3 - MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS Introduction 1 0.B Custodial Management - Small, Isolated Land Areas 5 1.A Designated Wilderness Areas 8 1.B Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 14 2.A Chattooga Wild And Scenic River Corridor 19 2.A.1 Chattooga River - Designated Wild River Segments 26 2.A.2 Chattooga River - Designated Scenic River Segments 28 2.A.3 Chattooga River – Designated Recreational River Segments 30 2.B Recommended Wild, Scenic, and Recreational Rivers 32 2.B.1 Recommended Wild River Segments 34 2.B.2 Recommended Scenic River Segments 37 2.B.3 Recommended Recreational River Segments 41 3. Other Congressionally-Designated Or Recommended Areas 44 3.A Coosa Bald National Scenic Area 44 3.B Experimental Forests 48 3.C Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area 53 3.D Proposed National Recreation Area (Ed Jenkins Addition) 58 4.A Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor 62 4.B.1 Murder Creek Research Natural Area 67 4.D Botanical - Zoological Areas 71 4.E.1 Cultural/Heritage Areas 75 4.F Scenic Areas 79 4.F.1 Scenic And Wildlife Management Areas 83 4.F.2 Regional Forester Designated Scenic Areas (Pre-1985) 87 4.H Forest-Designated Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 91 4.I Natural Areas - Few Open Roads 95 5.A Administrative Sites 99 5.B Communication Sites 102 5.D Military-Use Areas (Camp Merrill) 104 6.B Areas Managed To Restore/Maintain Old-Growth Characteristics 105 6.D Core Areas Of Old-Growth Surrounded By Areas With Extended Forest Rotations 109 7.A Scenic Byway Corridor 114 7.B Scenic Corridors And Sensitive Viewsheds 119 7.E.1 Dispersed Recreation Areas 123 7.E.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas With Vegetation Management 126 8.A.1 Mix of Successional Forest Habitats 130 8.A.2 Forest Interior, Mid- to Late-Successional Forest Habitats 134 8.D / 8.D.1 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Management Areas 138 8.E.3 High-Elevation Early-Successional Habitat 145 9.A.1 Source Water Protection Watersheds 149 9.A.3 Watershed Restoration Areas 153 9.F Rare Communities 157 9.H Management, Maintenance, And Restoration Of Plant Associations To Their Ecological Potential 167 11. Riparian Corridors 171 12.A Remote Backcountry Recreation - Few Open Roads 183 Management Prescription Maps 187

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CHAPTER 4 - WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS Use of Watershed Management Areas and Hydrologic Units 1 Desired Conditions for Water Quality and Soil Productivity 2 Chattahoochee National Forest Watershed Management Areas 3 Oconee National Forest Watershed Management Areas 33

CHAPTER 5 - MONITORING AND EVALUATION Monitoring Questions 2 Research Needs 8

TABLE OF TABLES

CHAPTER 2 - FORESTWIDE DIRECTION Table 2- 1. Management Indicator Species 5 Table 2- 2. Weather Restrictions for Herbicide Application 9 Table 2- 3. Objectives for Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Plants on the Chattahoochee-Oconee NF Over the Life of the Forest Plan. 12 Table 2- 4. Old Growth Community Types 16 Table 2- 5. Reforestation Stocking Standards 26 Table 2- 6. Rare Communities Identified for the Chattahoochee-Oconee NF 41

CHAPTER 3 - MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS Table 3- 1. Management Prescription Acreage 3 Table 3- 2. Acres in Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor by Forest by Classification 19 Table 3- 3. Chattooga River Guided Rafting Allocations - Section III 22 Table 3- 4. Chattooga River Guided Rafting Allocations - Section IV 23 Table 3- 5. Chattooga River Guided Hardboat Allocations 23 Table 3- 6. Chattooga River Self-Guided Boating Use Allocations - Section III 25 Table 3- 7. Chattooga River Self-Guided Boating Use Allocations - Section IV 25 Table 3- 8. Chattooga River Corridor– Wild River Segments 26 Table 3- 9. Chattooga River Corridor – Scenic River Segments 28 Table 3- 10. Chattooga River Corridor – Recreational River Segments 30 Table 3- 11. Riparian Corridor Widths for Perennial Streams, Lakes, Ponds, or Wetlands 175 Table 3- 12. Riparian Corridor Widths For Intermittent Streams 175 Table 3- 13. Riparian Corridor Widths for Perennial Streams, Lakes, Ponds, or Wetlands 175 Table 3- 14. Riparian Corridor Widths For Intermittent Streams 176

CHAPTER 4 - WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS Table 4- 1. Summary of Chattahoochee-Oconee NF Watershed Management Areas (Georgia Acreage and Percentages Only) 4 Table 4- 2. Watershed Management Area – Chattooga River, Lower 5 Table 4- 3. Watershed Management Area – Chattooga River, Upper 5 Table 4- 4. Watershed Management Area – Little Chickamauga Creek, East Chickamauga Creek 6 Table 4- 5. Watershed Management Area – Little Armuchee Creek 7 Table 4- 6. Watershed Management Area – Armuchee Creek 7 Table 4- 7. Watershed Management Area – Coahulla Creek 8 Table 4- 8. Watershed Management Area – Johns Creek 8 Table 4- 9. Watershed Management Area – Oostanaula River, Upper 9

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN III CONTENTS CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

Table 4- 10. Watershed Management Area – Conasauga River, Lower 9 Table 4- 11. Watershed Management Area – Holly Creek 10 Table 4- 12. Watershed Management Area – Conasauga River, Middle 11 Table 4- 13. Watershed Management Area - Conasauga River, Upper 12 Table 4- 14. Watershed Management Area - Mountaintown Creek 12 Table 4- 15. Watershed Management Area - Coosawattee River - Carters Lake 13 Table 4- 16. Watershed Management Area - Toccoa River - Middle 14 Table 4- 17. Watershed Management Area - Ellijay River 14 Table 4- 18. Watershed Management Area - Cartecay River 15 Table 4- 19. Watershed Management Area - Amicalola Creek 16 Table 4- 20. Watershed Management Area - Etowah River, Upper 15 Table 4- 21. Watershed Management Area - Toccoa River, Upper 17 Table 4- 22. Watershed Management Area - Chestatee River/Yahoola Creek 18 Table 4- 23. Watershed Management Area - Chestatee River/Dicks Creek 19 Table 4- 24. Watershed Management Area - Nottely River/Nottely Lake 20 Table 4- 25. Watershed Management Area - Brasstown Creek 21 Table 4- 26. Watershed Management Area - Hiwassee River/Chatuge Lake 22 Table 4- 27. Watershed Management Area - Chattahoochee River/Chickamauga Creek 23 Table 4- 28. Watershed Management Area - Tallulah River 24 Table 4- 29. Watershed Management Area - Soque River 25 Table 4- 30. Watershed Management Area - Little Tennessee River 26 Table 4- 31. Watershed Management Area - Chattooga River - North, East, West Forks 27 Table 4- 32. Watershed Management Area - Tugalo River/Panther Creek 28 Table 4- 33. Watershed Management Area - Broad River, North and Middle Forks 28 Table 4- 34. Watershed Management Area - Ocmulgee River/Big Sandy Creek 33 Table 4- 35. Watershed Management Area - Ocmulgee River/Rum Creek 34 Table 4- 36. Watershed Management Area - Big Cedar Creek 34 Table 4- 37. Watershed Management Area - Murder Creek 35 Table 4- 38. Watershed Management Area - Little River, Lower 35 Table 4- 39. Watershed Management Area - Little River, Upper 36 Table 4- 40. Watershed Management Area - Oconee River-Sugar Creek 36 Table 4- 41. Watershed Management Area - Apalachee River, Lower 37 Table 4- 42. Watershed Management Area - Oconee River-Big Creek 37 Table 4- 43. Watershed Management Area - Oconee River-Greenbrier Creek 38 Table 4- 44. Watershed Management Area - Richland Creek 38

CHAPTER 5 - MONITORING AND EVALUATION Table 5-1. Species Selected as Management Indicators of Composition, Structure, and Function of Forest Communities 3 Table 5-2. Species Selected as Management Indicators of Successional Habitats 3 Table 5-3. Species Selected as Management Indicators of Key Terrestrial Habitat Attributes 4 Table 5-4. Monitoring for Threatened and Endangered Species 5 Table 5-5. Demand Species Selected as Management Indicators 5

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TABLE OF FIGURES

CHAPTER 3 Management Prescription Maps 187

CHAPTER 4 Figure 4- 1. Westside Watershed Management Areas with Forest Ownership Highlighted 30 Figure 4- 2. Central Watershed Management Areas with Forest Ownership Highlighted 31 Figure 4- 3. Eastside Watershed Management Areas with Forest Ownership Highlighted 32 Figure 4- 4. Oconee Watershed Management Areas with Forest Ownership Highlighted 39

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VI LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

GENERAL

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING CHAPTER 1 AREA ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTION APPROACH

GENERAL

The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) requires all national forest lands to be managed under a “Forest Plan” as defined and structured by the Act and its implementing regulations. The Forest Plan provides an integrated framework for analyzing and approving future site-specific projects and programs. Additionally, it guides all natural resource management activities on the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests to meet the objectives of Federal law, regulations, and policy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING AREA The area governed by this plan consists of the Chattahoochee National Forest and the Oconee National Forest. The Chattahoochee NF is located across the northern portion of the state with lands in 18 counties. The Oconee NF is located in the Central/Piedmont portion with lands in 8 counties. The lands within each forest lie within either a proclamation boundary or a purchase unit. A proclamation boundary is established by Executive Order and provides that existing National Forest System lands, or lands to be acquired for national forest purposes, shall be a part of the National Forest System. The Secretary of Agriculture may establish a purchase unit to create a new boundary or to adjust or expand an existing boundary, within which federally acquired lands will become a part of the National Forest System. The two National Forests in Georgia are administered by one Forest Supervisor, headquartered in Gainesville, GA. The Oconee NF is managed as one ranger district, and the Chattahoochee NF is divided into five ranger districts. There are three other areas held by the USDA Forest Service in the State of Georgia. The Hitchiti Experimental Forest and Scull Shoals Experimental Forest both lie within the Oconee NF and are administered as part of that Forest. The Forest Service also administers a two-acre Experiment Station office site in Athens. All of these areas are managed under the direction of the Research Branch of the Forest Service.

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT APPROACH This Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) represents an adaptive management approach for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Adaptive management is a concept that means different things to different people. To Forest Service employees, numerous partnerships in Federal, State, and local governments, academic institutions, conservation organizations, and Georgia citizenry, it means

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 1-1 CHAPTER 1 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

ADAPTIVE practicing restorative ecosystem management with the understanding that we are MANAGEMENT students of nature, not masters of it. APPROACH Adaptive management will use our scientific knowledge and experience to design PURPOSE OF THE management strategies that allow us to progress toward ecological and socioeconomic FOREST PLAN objectives as we learn. The adaptive aspect of these strategies is the ability to test our assumptions and make adjustments as we learn from our work and the work of others in RELATIONSHIP the field. OF THE FOREST PLAN TO OTHER Adaptive management covers a broad range of activities and practices. With sustainable DOCUMENTS forest habitats and healthy watersheds and ecosystems as primary goals, a great deal of knowledge is being tested; and there are many factors to monitor over time. This is why adapting or adjusting management practices cannot be done in isolation of the bigger picture. Monitoring (and constant evaluation) is the heart of adaptive management. To ensure that all factors are considered before initiating change, an Interdisciplinary Team very much expanded from the team that developed the Forest Plan will review the situation. This expanded team includes professionals from all levels of the Forest Service, scientists from research units and from local academic institutions, along with our local partners who have shown a great interest in the health of the National Forests.

PURPOSE OF THE FOREST PLAN

This Forest Plan guides all natural resource management activities and sets management standards for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in Georgia. It describes resource management practices; levels of habitat production, protection, and management; and the availability and suitability of lands for resource management. The National Forest Management Act (NFMA), implementing regulations, and other documents guided the preparation of this Forest Plan. Land-use determinations, management practices, goals, objectives, and standards are statements of the Forest Plan’s management direction. Projected yields, services, and rate of implementation are dependent on the annual budgeting process. This Forest Plan provides broad program-level direction for management of the land and its resources. Future projects carry out the direction in this Forest Plan. This Forest Plan does not contain a commitment to select any specific project. An environmental analysis is conducted, when required, on these projects as they are proposed. This analysis may tier to the data and evaluations in other environmental impact statements.

RELATIONSHIP OF THE FOREST PLAN TO OTHER DOCUMENTS

In addition to direction found in this Forest Plan, projects are also implemented through direction found in laws, rules, regulations, and the Forest Service directive system (a listing of these can be found in Appendix A); and the following programmatic decision documents: • Record of Decision, Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: A Cooperative Approach (USDA, Forest Ser- vice and APHIS, Washington, DC, 5 volumes, January 1995)

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• Record of Decision, Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Manage- RELATIONSHIP ment of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and its Habitat on National Forests in OF THE FOREST the Southern Region (USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, June 1995) PLAN TO OTHER DOCUMENTS • Record of Decision, Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Suppression of Southern Pine Beetles (USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, April 1987) PLAN STRUCTURE

PLAN STRUCTURE

Levels of Management Direction The Plan is structured with two levels of management direction, each with several important characteristics. The levels of direction generally increase in degree of constraint from first to second. They also tend to decrease from first to second in land area to which they apply. They are designed to be complementary rather than conflicting. Both levels (described below) are considered as applicable direction in planning or carrying out resource management actions. • First is forestwide direction that usually applies at the geographic scale of the entire Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Within this set, some direction may be specifically written to apply to one Forest or the other, or to some other sub-Forest scale such as an ecological section unit. This direction is arranged by topics representing the planning issues and several major Forest resource areas.

▪ Second is individual management prescription (MRx) direction within a single land allocation. Land allocations to specific management direction are mapped, with the map serving as the ‘key’ to where on the ground that direction applies.

At each level, management direction consists of goals, objectives, and standards. Of these three, goals give strategic direction for a program such as recreation or wildlife. Objectives are steps along the way to achieving the goals, and they give purpose to individual projects. They also are tools to check progress toward a goal. Objectives are linked to the Forest Monitoring Plan. Standards limit type, timing, intensity, method, location, and so on of actions taken to reach an objective. The practical effect of these levels, scales, topics, and activity-specific direction is to produce a complex web of inter-related requirements. This complexity has the unfortunate side effect of ‘scattering’ direction somewhat, so that it does not always appear in the location where people might expect it. Organization of the Documents The Forest Plan consists of five chapters, a glossary, and several appendices. Chapter 1 introduces the Forest Plan; explains its purpose, structure, and relationship to other documents; and summarizes the issues and analysis of the management situation for the revision. Chapter 2 provides forestwide goals, objectives, and standards related to the identified issues and several important resource areas. Chapter 3 describes the management prescriptions in detail with desired future conditions, goals, objectives, and standards that relate specifically to each prescription. Chapter 4 defines the watershed management areas and shows management prescription allocations by watershed. Chapter 5 gives direction on Forest Plan implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

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PLAN Major topic headings are replicated in the outer margins to assist readers in navigating STRUCTURE within the document. The heading in the margin appears in a heavy font on the page PLAN RESPONSE where that topic is introduced. If the topic continues beyond the page where it began, the TO THE ISSUES margin heading is printed in gray on the subsequent pages.

SUMMARY OF THE ISSUES FOR FOREST PLAN PLAN RESPONSE TO THE ISSUES REVISION Public involvement is a key part of the planning process. Public comments were sought to identify what the forest should be and provide in the future - including goods, services, and environmental conditions. Opportunities were offered for people to get involved in the planning process and to provide comments. Issues submitted by the public, as well as from within the Forest Service, guided the need to change current management strategies. Issues were submitted by the public during open meetings conducted by the Forest beginning in 1995. The Regional Office developed issue statements common to the five Forests in the revision process, and provided a standard set of 12 issues. The Chattahoochee-Oconee added four forest-specific issues, which had been identified during the scoping process. Based on public comments, the five Southern Appalachian Forests developed four preliminary alternatives (themes) for resource management and direction to address these issues. Public meetings were held throughout the state, and comments were solicited on the preliminary alternatives. Preliminary issues and the additional issues identified through public involvement were stated in the form of planning questions to be addressed in the planning process. The most significant issues and planning questions are summarized into the following questions, used to develop alternatives for the Forest Plan revision.

SUMMARY OF THE ISSUES FOR FOREST PLAN REVISION

Issues Common to the Southern Appalachian Forests Southern Appalachian Forest issues are common to the following national forests: National Forests in Alabama, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in Georgia, Chero- kee National Forest in Tennessee, Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, and Sumter Na- tional Forest in South Carolina. These issues were used to define several alternative management strategies, which are analyzed in detail in the Environmental Impact State- ment. As a Piedmont forest, the Oconee National Forest has quite different characteristics. However, it shares the issues identified for the Southern Appalachian forests. Issue 1 - Terrestrial Plants And Animals And Their Associated Habitats Issue Statement: How should the national forests retain or restore a diverse mix of terrestrial plant and animal habitat conditions, while meeting public demands for a variety of wildlife values and uses? Issue 2 - T & E And Sensitive/Locally Rare Species Issue Statement: What levels of management are needed to protect and recover the populations of federally-listed Threatened, Endangered and Proposed species? What level of management is needed for Forest Service sensitive and locally rare species?

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SUMMARY OF Issue 3 - Old Growth THE ISSUES FOR Issue Statement: The issue surrounding old growth has several facets, including: FOREST PLAN (1) How much old growth is desired, (2) Where should old growth occur, and (3) REVISION How should old growth be managed? Issue 4 - Riparian Area Management, Water Quality And Aquatic Habitats Issue Statement: What are the desired riparian ecosystem conditions within national forests, and how will they be identified, maintained and/or restored? What management direction is needed to help ensure that the hydrologic conditions needed for the beneficial uses of water yielded by and flowing through National Forest System lands are attained? What management is needed for the maintenance, enhancement or restoration of aquatic habitats? Issue 5 - Wood Products Issue Statement: The issue surrounding the sustained yield production of wood products from national forests has several facets, including: What are the appropriate objectives for wood product management? Where should removal of wood products occur, given that this production is part of a set of multiple use objectives, and considering cost effectiveness? What should be the level of outputs of wood products? What management activities associated with the production of wood products are appropriate? Issue 6 - Aesthetics/Scenery Management Issue Statement: The issue surrounding the management of the visual quality has two facets: What are the appropriate landscape character goals for the national forests? What should be the scenic integrity objectives for the national forests? Issue 7 - Recreation Opportunities/Experiences Issue Statement: How should the increasing demand for recreational opportunities and experiences be addressed on the national forests while protecting forest resources? This includes considering a full range of opportunities for developed and dispersed recreation activities (including such things as nature study, hunting and fishing activities, and trail uses). Issue 8 - Roadless Areas/Wilderness Management Issue Statement: Should any of the roadless areas on National Forest System lands be recommended for wilderness designation? For any roadless areas not recommended for wilderness, how should they be managed? How should areas recommended for wilderness designation be managed? How should the patterns and intensity of use, fire, and insects and disease be managed in the existing wilderness areas? Issue 9 - Forest Health Issue Statement: What conditions are needed to maintain forest capacity to function in a sustainable manner as expected or desired? Of particular concern are the impacts of non-native and native pest species, and the presence of ecological conditions with a higher level of insect and disease susceptibility. Issue 10 - Special Areas And Rare Communities Issue Statement: What special areas should be designated, and how should they be managed? How should rare communities, such as those identified in the Southern Appalachian Assessment, be managed?

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SUMMARY OF Issue 11 - Wild And Scenic Rivers THE ISSUES FOR FOREST PLAN Issue Statement: Which rivers are suitable for designation into the National Wild REVISION and Scenic River System, and how should rivers that are eligible, but not suitable, be managed? DECISIONS MADE IN FOREST Issue 12 - Access/Road Management (Travel Management) PLANS Issue Statement: How do we balance the rights of citizens to access their national forests with our responsibilities to protect and manage the soil and water resources, wildlife populations and habitat, aesthetics, forest health, and desired vegetative conditions?

Issues Specific to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests In addition to the issues affecting the Southern Appalachian region as a whole, the following local issues were determined for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests:

Issue 13 – Chattooga River Watershed Issue Statement: How can the National Forests manage the Chattooga River watershed for desired social and ecological benefits while protecting the outstanding values of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River corridor? Issue 14 – Red-cockaded Woodpecker Issue Statement: (1) What portions of the Oconee National Forest should be designated as a habitat management area (HMA) for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW). (2) Should it be a Forest Plan goal to acquire lands in order for the Oconee to be a recovery area for the RCW, or maintain current land ownership and be a support area for the RCW? Issue 15 – Recreational Gold Collecting Issue Statement: How will recreational gold collecting be authorized on the Chattahoochee National Forest to meet public demand and minimize impacts to other resources? Issue 16 – Special Uses Issue Statement: How should the special uses of communication sites, utility corridors, and recreation residences be authorized on the Chattahoochee- Oconee National Forests?

DECISIONS MADE IN FOREST PLANS

National Forest System resource allocation and management decisions are made in two stages. The first stage is the Forest Plan, which allocates lands and resources to various uses or conditions by establishing management areas and management prescriptions for the land and resources within the plan area. The second stage is approval of project decisions. Forest plans do not compel the agency to undertake any site-specific projects; rather, they establish overall goals and objectives (or desired resource conditions) that the individual national forest strives to meet. Forest plans also establish limitations on what actions may be authorized, and what conditions must be met as project decisions are made.

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The primary decisions made in a Forest Plan include: DECISIONS MADE IN FOREST • Establishment of the forestwide multiple-use goals and objectives (36 PLANS CFR 219.11(b)). • Establishment of forestwide management requirements (36 CFR RELATIONSHIP 219.13 to 219.27). OF THE PLAN TO • Establishment of multiple-use prescriptions and associated standards PROJECTS for each management area (36 CFR 219.11(c)). • Identification of lands within management areas not suited for timber production (16 U.S.C. 1604(k) and 36 CFR 219.14). • Establishment of allowable sale quantity for timber within a time frame specified in the plan (36 CFR 219.16). • Establishment of monitoring and evaluation requirements (36 CFR 219.11(d)). • Recommendation of roadless areas as potential wilderness areas (36 CFR 219.17). • Where applicable, designation of lands administratively available for oil and gas leasing and authorization of the Bureau of Land Management to offer specific lands for leasing (36 CFR 228.102 (d) and (e)).

RELATIONSHIP OF THE PLAN TO PROJECTS

A Forest Plan is a strategy that answers the question, ‘Where are we going?’. The tactics, or ‘How do we get there?’ are an individual activity or a set of related activities called a ‘project.’ The authorization of site-specific activities within a plan area occurs through project decision-making, which is the implementation stage of forest planning. Project decision-making must comply with NEPA procedures, and site-specific projects must be consistent with the Forest Plan. The typical process for a project carrying out the plan is as follows: • Existing conditions are compared to the plan desired conditions in goals, objectives, and management prescriptions. • Where differences exist, a project is identified that – when carried out – will help reach the plan desired conditions. • The idea for a project is reviewed and refined by the appropriate disciplines within the Forest Service. • The refined project is proposed to interested and affected publics; including cooperating agencies, groups, and individuals through a variety of media that may include telephone, web site, newspaper notice, and letters with a request for comments. • Comments received are used to further refine and improve the proposal, or perhaps even drop it altogether. • The appropriate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation is prepared, reviewed, and completed per agency guidelines. • If an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement is the appropriate NEPA documentation, a draft copy is circulated to those commenting on the project proposal, and comments received on the draft are addressed in the final. • The Responsible Official signs the decision document, which includes a finding that the decision is consistent with the forest plan, among other required points, and appropriate public notice of the decision is given. • Implementation of the project is funded through annual work planning and budgeting.

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RELATIONSHIP • Needed implementation documents are prepared and approved such as OF THE PLAN TO contracts, specifications, or reports. PROJECTS • The project is implemented by, or under the direction of, Forest Service employees. • The project is monitored to ensure applicable plan standards have been implemented and are working. • The results of monitoring this and other projects are reported to the public in an annual monitoring report. • Results of monitoring are evaluated to determine if there is a need to amend or revise the Forest Plan.

There are variations in the details of the individual steps, depending on the nature of the project, but the general process remains the same. At the project level is where site- specific items such as threatened or endangered species, steep slopes, cultural resources, and so on are considered.

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CHAPTER 2 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2 FORESTWIDE DIRECTION

INTRODUCTION

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is one part of the Southern Appalachian ecosystem. This chapter outlines the overall management direction for the Forest within the context of the Southern Appalachian area and the Piedmont ecosystem (for the Oconee NF). The goals for management of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest are consistent with the other national forests of the Southern Appalachian, and consider the conditions and influences of private and other public lands in this region. This direction is organized around the major issues identified by citizens who helped develop the Plan, as well as the physical, biological, and social resources of the Forest.

Forestwide direction is organized under topic headings that represent: • 12 issues common to all Southern Appalachian National Forests, • 4 issues specific to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, and • Several resource areas critical to management of the Forests.

Each topic includes broad goal statements, which describe desired conditions we want to maintain, Objectives express measurable steps we will take over the life of the plan on the pathway to achieve our goal. They usually have both quantity and time.

The vision of the Forest as we wish it to be (that is, a desired future condition) is essentially a compilation of the goal statements. Goal statements are intended to be ambitious. Their value lies in giving us a course even when circumstances change and situations arise that were not foreseen in detail at the time the Plan was written.

While most goals have associated objectives with both quantity and time, some do not. For these, progress toward or even achievement of them is not directly measurable. This imprecision is usually because either: (a) the specific type or extent of project that would move toward attainment of the goal is not presently clear, or (b) initiation of such projects is not within Forest Service control. The value of these goals lies in providing a more complete management framework for future decision making. Some of the values provided include: • a better understanding by the public of the full range of Forest Service activities, • a clear reflection of the cooperative nature of much of National Forest management, and • a stable structure to adapt to changing conditions into the future.

Objective quantities and timing have been set to be within the capability of the land, within the decision space allowed by constraints, and reasonably consistent with historic budgets and future budget expectations. They should not be viewed as a promise to perform exactly as stated or as a contract the Forest Service is obligating itself to meet. Rather they are good faith estimates, the accomplishment of which is not totally within

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INTRODUCTION our control. The Forest Service receives its budget through an annual appropriation and is not certain of its budget in advance. In addition, we are dealing with dynamic systems and will often - particularly with the overall low level of management - be reactive to natural events beyond our control. Within this uncertainty, the timing of objectives reflects several considerations. Activities that must occur before others can are given a shorter time frame. Activities that have a higher priority are given a shorter time frame than those with a lower priority. And the time frame for objectives reflects a judgment of just how long it could reasonably take to complete the work involved. We have not been easy on ourselves but we have also attempted to avoid a consistent pattern of over- promising and under-delivering. The values of objectives include; (a) a focus on goals, (b) measurable progress, (c) framework for budgeting and work planning, and (d) the basis of a 'report card' on our progress in implementing the plan.

While goals and objectives define where we are headed with management of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, standards define the rules we will follow in getting there. Standards are the specific technical resource management directions, and often preclude, or impose limitations on, management activities or resource uses, generally for environmental protection, public safety, or to resolve an issue identified in the development of the Plan. Adherence to Forest Plan standards is monitored during project implementation.

Numbering for Forestwide Goals, Objectives, and Standards • Goals are numbered consecutively throughout this chapter. • Objectives are numbered to link them to the goal to which they relate. • Standards are numbered consecutively throughout this chapter with the number preceded by ‘FW’ (Forestwide).

Forestwide goals, objectives, and standards apply to the entire forest unless superseded by specific management prescription direction. Projects are evaluated to determine if they are consistent with the management direction in the Plan. This evaluation is recorded in the project-level environmental document with a finding of consistency incorporated into the decision document.

Any decisions on projects to implement the Plan are based on site-specific analysis in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This environmental analysis is appropriately documented based on direction in the Council on Environmental Quality publication Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) and the Environmental Policy and Procedures Handbook (FSH 1909.15).

The Plan is a strategic document providing land allocations, goals, objectives, desired conditions, and standards that must be met. While this direction was being developed, the Forest identified some additional items which would not qualify as Plan direction, but which are important for Plan implementation. These items will either be incorporated into Forest and/or Regional supplements to the Forest Service directives system or made part of a ‘desk reference’ or ‘implementation guide’ document

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GENERAL GENERAL FORESTWIDE DIRECTION FORESTWIDE DIRECTION This direction is presented in the introductory section, because it applies to most of the issue and resource topics into which the goals, objectives, and standards are organized.

General Goal: Maintain natural and cultural resource data in geo-referenced electronic databases.

General Standard: Except in the cases noted below, individual management prescription boundaries may be refined at the project level, using appropriate NEPA documentation, to provide logical, manageable boundaries, and better meet the emphasis of the prescription gaining acres or the prescription losing acres. The exceptions are those situations where: • allocations were made at authority higher than the Regional Forester, • the change could potentially negatively affect the roadless character of an inventoried roadless area, or • the change could potentially negatively affect the outstandingly remarkable values of streams meeting suitability requirements of Wild and Scenic River designation (MRx 2.B.1, 2.B.2, 2.B.3, and 4.H).

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TERRESTRIAL PLANTS AND TERRESTRIAL PLANTS AND ANIMALS AND THEIR ANIMALS AND ASSOCIATED HABITATS THEIR ASSOCIATED HABITATS BACKGROUND This section broadly refers to the distribution, variety, and abundance of plant and animal communities, ecosystems and individual species. Some biodiversity objectives need to be achieved through active multiple-use management, while others can only be achieved through passive management emphasizing ‘natural’ processes. A diversity of habitat will be provided for the full range of native and other desired species.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 1 Contribute to the viability of native and other desirable wildlife species.

GOAL 2 A diversity of habitat will be provided for the full range of native and other desired species. Sufficient amounts of interior or late-successional habitat as well as early-successional habitat will be provided to meet needs of all successional communities. Early successional habitat will be well distributed in all forest types, elevations, aspects, and slopes including riparian corridors.

Table 2- 1 identifies the habitat restoration or maintenance objectives relevant to each management indicator species.

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TERRESTRIAL Table 2- 1. Management Indicator Species PLANTS AND ANIMALS AND Management Indicator Category Related Objective THEIR Species ASSOCIATED Red-cockaded 3.3, 3.4, 8.3, 58.3, 3.B-02, Threatened or Endangered HABITATS woodpecker 8.D-1thru 8.D-12, Smooth coneflower Threatened or Endangered 15.1, 18.1

Wood thrush Community Indicator Species 3.7, 20.1 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 7.2, Pine warbler Community Indicator Species 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 58.3 Chestnut-sided warbler Community Indicator Species 3.4, 3.8

Hooded warbler Community Indicator Species 3.7, 4.1, 7.1, 21.1, 58.3

Prairie warbler Community Indicator Species 58.3

Ovenbird Community Indicator Species 3.7, 20.1

Acadian flycatcher Community Indicator Species 3.7, 4.1, 7.1,21.1 4.1, 9.F-01, 9.F-02, 9.F-05, Swainson’s warbler Community Indicator Species 9.F-06 Scarlet tanager Community Indicator Species 3.7

Field sparrow Community Indicator Species 3.4, 3.8, 58.3

Pileated woodpecker Special Habitat Species 3.7, 7.1 Because these species have a wide range of ecological conditions in White-tailed deer Demand Species which they use they will have many related objective and are not ecological indicators. Because these species have a wide range of ecological conditions in Black bear Demand Species which they use they will have many related objective and are not ecological indicators.

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TERRESTRIAL Enhance, restore, manage and create habitats as required for wildlife and PLANTS AND GOAL 3 ANIMALS AND plant communities, including disturbance-dependent forest types. THEIR ASSOCIATED OBJECTIVE 3.1 Within the first 10 years of Plan implementation restore 1,100 acres of shortleaf pine forests on the Chattahoochee on sites HABITATS where they once likely occurred.

OBJECTIVE 3.2 Within the first 10 years of Plan implementation restore 1,000 acres of pitch pine forests on the Chattahoochee on sites where they once likely occurred.

OBJECTIVE 3.3 Within the first 10 years of Plan implementation restore 1,100 acres of shortleaf pine forests on the Oconee on sites where it once likely occurred.

OBJECTIVE 3.4 Within the first 10 years of Plan implementation restore 10,000 acres of open woodlands, savannas, and grasslands on the Chattahoochee and 1,000 acres on the Oconee. Once created, maintain woodlands, savannas, and grasslands on a five-year burning cycle or less.

OBJECTIVE 3.5 Within the first 10 years of Plan implementation restore 1,100 acres of mountain longleaf pine and longleaf pine-oak forests within the Southern Ridge and Valley ecological section on sites where they once likely occurred.

OBJECTIVE 3.6 Within the first 10 years of Plan implementation restore oak or oak-pine forests on 1,250 acres on the Chattahoochee and 550 acres on the Oconee on appropriate sites currently occupied by pine plantations or other hardwood species such as gum and maple.

OBJECTIVE 3.7 To maintain existing oak and oak-pine forests, reduce stem density on 5,500 acres on the Chattahoochee, and 5,200 acres on the Oconee of these forest types within the first 10 years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 3.8 Create and maintain an annual average of 300 acres above 3,000 feet elevation in early-successional habitats, achieving 3,000 acres within the first 10 years of Plan implementation. This acreage may be comprised of regenerating forests (0-10 years), utility rights-of-way, and open woodlands.

GOAL 4 Maintain and restore natural communities in amounts, arrangements, and conditions capable of supporting viable populations of existing native and desired nonnative plants, fish, and wildlife species within the planning area.

OBJECTIVE 4.1 Maintain 1 to 2 percent per decade of the riparian corridor within each 6th level hydrologic unit in early-successional forest conditions. Included would be only those prescriptions hosting riparian associated species as identified in the current viability assessment for the Chattahoochee-Oconee NF and prescriptions with early-successional forest habitat objectives

GOAL 5 Acquire lands containing sites or habitat critical to the conservation of rare communities, federally-listed threatened or endangered species, or species at risk of losing viability within the proclamation boundary of each national forest.

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GOAL 6 Provide habitats for species needing large blocks of contiguous forests, TERRESTRIAL especially where such conditions are not found on other lands within the PLANTS AND landscape at ecological section scale. ANIMALS AND THEIR GOAL 7 Manage forest ecosystems to maintain or restore composition, structure, ASSOCIATED and function within desired ranges of variability. HABITATS

OBJECTIVE 7.1 Within 10 years of Plan implementation, increase structural diversity by creating canopy gaps within closed-canopied mid- and late-successional mesic deciduous forest, including old growth restoration areas. • 10,800 acres on the Chattahoochee • 1,400 acres on the Oconee

OBJECTIVE 7.2 Within 10 years of Plan implementation, restore 1,100 acres of open pine-oak or oak-pine forest on the Oconee outside the RCW HMA. This is in addition to the quantity to be restored under the habitat goal, above.

GOAL 8 Contribute to maintenance or restoration of native tree species whose role in forest ecosystems: (a) has been reduced by past land use; or (b) is threatened by insects and disease, fire exclusion, forest succession, or other factors.

OBJECTIVE 8.1 To maintain shortleaf pine forests on the Chattahoochee in desired conditions: • Thin over-story trees on an average of 400 acres per year of this forest type. • Reduce hardwood mid-story on an average of 6,000 acres per year of this forest type.

OBJECTIVE 8.2 To maintain pitch pine forests on the Chattahoochee in desired conditions: • Thin over-story trees on an average of 100 acres per year of this forest type. • Reduce hardwood midstory on an average of 1,400 acres per year of this forest type.

OBJECTIVE 8.3 To maintain shortleaf pine forests on the Oconee in desired conditions: • Thin over-story trees on an average of 230 acres per year of this forest type. • Reduce hardwood midstory on an average of 500 acres per year of this forest type.

OBJECTIVE 8.4 To maintain loblolly pine forests on the Oconee outside the RCW HMA in desired conditions: • Thin over-story trees on an average of 1,100 acres per year of this forest types. • Reduce hardwood midstory on an average of 1,100 acres per year of this forest type.

GOAL 9 Manage through protection, maintenance, or restoration, a variety of large, medium, and small old growth patches to provide biological and social benefits.

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TERRESTRIAL PLANTS AND GOAL 10 Manage for a diversity of oak species to minimize yearly fluctuations in ANIMALS AND acorn supplies. THEIR ASSOCIATED GOAL 11 Consolidate national forest ownership along riparian corridors (order four HABITATS streams or greater) to allow greater protection of water quality and provision of habitat for riparian-associated species.

GOAL 12 Minimize adverse effects of invasive native and nonnative species. Control such species where feasible and necessary to protect national forest resources.

GOAL 13 Provide breeding, wintering, and migration staging and stopover habitat for migratory birds in ways that contributes to their long-term conservation.

GOAL 14 Protect or restore the special characteristics of important geological, paleontological, botanical, zoological, cultural, or heritage areas.

STANDARDS FW-001 When regenerating forest stands, except for research purposes, regenerate to native tree species that commonly occur or historically occurred naturally on ecologically comparable sites within the same ecological subsection.

FW-002 Stands dominated by eastern hemlock are not subject to regeneration harvest during this planning period.

FW-003 During silvicultural treatments in all forest types, patches of living hemlock greater than one-quarter acre are retained.

FW-004 Oak forest cover types on mesic sites are not converted to pine forest cover types (i.e., where dominant and co-dominant pine crowns are greater than or equal to 70 percent), but may be managed as mixed oak-pine.

FW-005 When grazing is used to control vegetation (i.e. permitted grazing allotments), livestock may not expose mineral soil or displace soil by trampling on more than 10 percent of the area.

FW-006 When foraging by domestic animals is used to control vegetation, combined forage use by wildlife and livestock may not exceed 70 percent of total forage production. This allows 45 percent utilization of grasses and forbs for livestock and 25 percent for wildlife.

FW-007 Even-aged regeneration areas in or abutting deciduous or mixed forests must include a 50-foot zone along mature forest edges in which intensity of silvicultural treatment decreases, resulting in a transitional or feathered edge.

FW-008 Retain hard and soft mast producing species during vegetation cutting treatments to the extent compatible with meeting treatment objectives.

FW-009 For as long as they remain suitable, known black bear den sites will be protected by prohibiting vegetation management and ground-disturbing activities within a minimum of 100 feet around the den.

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TERRESTRIAL FW-010 Potential black bear den trees will be retained during all vegetation PLANTS AND management treatments occurring in habitats suitable for bears. Potential ANIMALS AND den trees are those that are greater than 20” dbh and are hollow with THEIR broken tops. ASSOCIATED

FW-011 Herbicides and application methods are chosen to minimize risk to human HABITATS and wildlife health and the environment. No class B, C, or D chemical may be used on any project, except with Regional Forester approval. Approval will be granted only if a site-specific analysis shows that no other treatment would be effective and that all adverse health and environmental effects will be fully mitigated. Diesel oil will not be used as a carrier for herbicides, except as it may be a component of a formulated product when purchased from the manufacturer. Vegetable oils will be used as the carrier for herbicides when available and compatible with the application proposed.

FW-012 Herbicides are applied at the lowest rate effective in meeting project objectives and according to guidelines for protecting human (NRC 1983) and wildlife health (EPA 1986a). Application rate and work time must not exceed levels that pose an unacceptable level of risk to human or wildlife health. If the rate or exposure time being evaluated causes the Margin of Safety (MOS) or the Hazard Quotient (HQ) computed for a proposed treatment to fail to achieve the current Forest Service R-8 standard for acceptability (acceptability requires a MOS > 100 or a HQ of < 1.0 using the most current of the SERA or Risk Assessments found on the Forest Service website). Additional risk management must be undertaken to reduce unacceptable risks to acceptable levels, or an alternative method of treatment must be used.

FW-013 Weather is monitored and the project suspended if temperature, humidity, or wind becomes unfavorable for correct application as shown in Table 2- 2.

Table 2- 2. Weather Restrictions for Herbicide Application Temperatures Higher Humidity Less Wind (at target) Application Method Than Than Greater Than Ground: Hand (cut surface) N.A. N.A. N.A. Hand (other) 98oF 20% 15 mph Mechanical: Liquid 95oF 30% 10 mph Granular N.A. N.A. 10 mph Aerial: Liquid 9OoF 50% 5 mph Granular N.A. N.A. 8 mph

FW-014 Nozzles that produce large droplets (mean droplet size of 50 microns or larger) or streams of herbicide are used. Nozzles that produce fine droplets are used only for hand treatment where distance from nozzle to target does not exceed 8 feet.

FW-015 People living within one-fourth mile of an area to be treated aerially are notified during project planning and shortly before treatment.

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TERRESTRIAL FW-016 No herbicide is aerially applied within 200 horizontal feet of an open road or PLANTS AND a designated trail. Buffers are clearly marked before treatment so ANIMALS AND applicators can easily see and avoid them. THEIR

ASSOCIATED FW-017 With the exception of treatments designed to release designated vegetation HABITATS selectively resistant to the herbicide proposed for use or to prepare sites for planting with such vegetation, no soil-active herbicide is applied within 30 feet of the drip line of non-target vegetation (e.g., den trees, hardwood inclusions, adjacent stands) specifically designated for retention within or next to the treated area. Side pruning is allowed, but movement of herbicide to the root systems of non-target plants must be avoided. Buffers are clearly marked before treatment so that applicators can easily see and avoid them.

FW-018 Triclopyr, 2,4-D, and 2,4-DP are not aerially applied within 300 feet, nor ground-applied within 60 feet, of known occupied Gray bat habitat. Buffers are clearly marked before treatment so that applicators can easily see and avoid them.

FW-019 No herbicide is aerially applied within 300 feet, nor broadcast ground- applied within 60 feet, of any know threatened, endangered, proposed, or sensitive plant. Buffers are clearly marked before treatment so applicators can easily see and avoid them. Selective applications to control competing vegetation within this buffer designed to protect TES plants may occur when needed to protect the TES plants from encroachment by invasive plants and when a non-soil-active herbicide is used.

FW-020 Application equipment, empty herbicide containers, clothes worn during treatment, and skin are not cleaned in open water or wells. Mixing and cleaning water must come from a public water supply and be transported in separate labeled containers.

FW-021 No herbicide is broadcast on rock outcrops or within sinkholes. No soil- active herbicide with a half-life longer than three months is broadcast on slopes over 45 percent. Such areas are clearly marked before treatment so that applicators can easily see and avoid them.

FW-022 No herbicide is aerially applied within 200 horizontal feet, or ground-applied within 100 horizontal feet, of lakes, wetlands, or perennial or intermittent springs and streams. No herbicide is applied within 100 horizontal feet of any public or domestic water source. Selective treatments (which require added site-specific analysis and use of aquatic-labeled herbicides) may occur within these buffers only to prevent significant environmental damage such as noxious weed infestations. Buffers are clearly marked before treatment so that applicators can easily see and avoid them.

FW-023 Herbicide mixing, loading, or cleaning areas in the field are not located in sensitive areas as identified in the project decision document, or within 200 feet of private land, open water or wells.

FW-024 Pesticide mixing, loading, or cleaning areas in the field are located at least 50 feet from ephemeral streams.

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TERRESTRIAL FW-025 No soil-active herbicide with a half-life longer than three months is PLANTS AND broadcast within 25 feet of ephemeral streams. Selective treatments with ANIMALS AND aquatic-labeled herbicides are allowed. Such areas are clearly marked THEIR before treatment so that applicators can easily see and avoid them. ASSOCIATED

HABITATS FW-026 Pine straw or any other mulching material will not be sold as mulch or for any other purpose from areas treated with clopyralid.

FW-027 A certified pesticide applicator supervises each Forest Service application crew and trains crew members in personal safety, proper handling and application of herbicides, and proper disposal of empty containers.

FW-028 With the exception of permittee treatment of right-of-way corridors that are continuous into or out of private land and through Forest Service-managed areas, no herbicide is broadcast within 100 feet of private land or 300 feet of a private residence, unless the landowner agrees to closer treatment. Buffers are clearly marked before treatments so applicators can easily see and avoid them.

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T&E AND SENSITIVE/ LOCALLY RARE T & E AND SENSITIVE/LOCALLY RARE SPECIES SPECIES BACKGROUND The Forest Service is charged with creating and maintaining habitat conditions suitable to maintain viable populations of all species native to the planning area. A mix of management prescription allocations provide for a variety of habitat conditions. The Forests will conserve and assist in the recovery of threatened, endangered and sensitive species through maintenance or enhancement of their associated habitats. Emphasis is also placed on minimizing undesired human-wildlife interactions during critical life stages. The integrity of native communities is protected through the management of invasive species. The following goals, objectives and standards are designed to protect, restore, maintain and enhance wildlife and plant populations and communities, while maintaining flexibility to manage other resources.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 15 Contribute to conservation and recovery of federally-listed threatened and endangered species through habitat maintenance and/or enhancement and, where possible, for their reintroduction into suitable habitats, and contribute to avoiding the necessity for federal listing of other species under the Endangered Species Act.

OBJECTIVE 15.1 The objectives shown in Table 2- 3 are established to contribute to the recovery of threatened, endangered, and candidate plants over the life of the Forest Plan: Table 2- 3. Objectives for Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Plants on the Chattahoochee-Oconee NF Over the Life of the Forest Plan. Known Management Common Name Scientific Name Populations or Objective* Occurrences Smooth coneflower Echinacea laevigata 25 2 and 3 Georgia aster Aster georgianus 4 2 Small-whorled pogonia Isotria medeoloides 32 1 Rock gnome lichen Gymnoderma lineare 1 1 Persistent trillium Trillium persistens 1 1 Relict trillium Trillium reliquum 0 4 Green pitcher plant ** Sarracenia oreophila 1 2 and 3 Swamp pink ** Helonias bullata 1 3 Large flowered skullcap ** Scutellaria montana 4 3 White fringeless orchid Platanthera integrilabia 1 1 * 1 = Maintain current number of populations/occurrences through protection and maintenance of existing sites. 2 = Increase number of populations/occurrences by improving and/or increasing available habitat and relying on natural recruitment rather than reintroduction and propagation. 3 = Increase number of populations/occurrences with the assistance of reintroduction and propagation efforts. 4 = Species is not currently documented from the forest; efforts will continue to document presence. ** The green pitcher plant and swamp pink sites, as well as two of the large flowered skullcap sites, are not naturally occurring. Plants were planted on NF land after being grown from local, genetic stock occurring on private land.

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OBJECTIVE 15.2 Inventory non-native invasive aquatic species T&E AND encroaching upon T&E habitat within the first 10 years of Plan SENSITIVE/ implementation. LOCALLY RARE

SPECIES GOAL 16 Cooperate with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in providing habitat for the reintroduction of native wildlife, including threatened, endangered and sensitive species.

GOAL 17 Cooperate with Georgia Department of Natural Resources to transplant individuals of State-listed species threatened by destruction on private lands to appropriate National Forest sites.

GOAL 18 Cooperate with the USFWS, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and academia in conducting research on National Forest T&E species and their response to management.

OBJECTIVE 18.1 Cooperate with the USFWS, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, academia and the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance to develop a management plan for the smooth coneflower over the next 3 years.

OBJECTIVE 18.2 Within six years of Plan implementation, complete necessary studies with other agencies, educational institutions, etc. to determine potential impacts of stocking trout in waters occupied by federally-listed species on Forest Service lands.

GOAL 19 Contribute to the conservation of State-identified locally rare species in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

STANDARDS FW-029 Sites supporting federally-listed threatened and endangered species or individuals needed to maintain viability of species of viability concern are protected from detrimental effects caused by management actions. Site- specific analysis of proposed management actions will identify any protective measures needed in addition to Forest Plan standards, including increasing the width of protective buffers where needed. Management activities occur within these sites only where compatible with recovery of federally-listed species, or maintenance of individuals needed to maintain species viability on the National Forest.

FW-030 The USFWS will be given timely notification when an emergency situation such as wildfire, weather-related events, insect outbreak, or disease outbreak has impacted, or appears likely to impact, known locations of Federally-listed species.

FW-031 As part of recurrent monitoring and any project inventories, include data collection on existing or potential threats such as nonnative invasive species.

FW-032 Nonnative invasive species shall be controlled with priority given to areas where they are causing adverse effects to federally-listed species, or to individuals of other species needed to maintain their population viability on the national forest. Nonnative invasive species are not intentionally

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T&E AND introduced near these species or individuals, nor will management actions SENSITIVE/ facilitate their inadvertent introduction. LOCALLY RARE Bat Species SPECIES

FW-033 Gates or other structures that allow for entrance and egress by bats are constructed and maintained at entrances of caves and mines occupied by significant populations of bats to reduce frequency and degree of human intrusion. Forest Supervisor Closure Orders are acceptable as long as monitoring indicates the Orders are effective. If Orders are ineffective, appropriate physical structures must be constructed. Camping and fire building at the entrance to caves, mines, and rock shelters used by these species is prohibited. To discourage human disturbance at these caves, nonessential public access routes within one-quarter mile of cave entrances are closed during periods when bats are present. Human access to caves for educational and recreational use may be allowed during periods when bats are not present. If damage to caves occurs as a result of human use, the caves may be closed to human uses. Access for activities such as surveys and scientific study during times when bats are present is determined on a case-by-case basis.

FW-034 Prescribed burn plans written for areas near caves or mines that contain bats identify these sites as smoke sensitive targets and plan to avoid smoke entering cave or mine openings when bats are present.

FW-035 Before old buildings and other man-made structures are modified or demolished, they are surveyed for bats. If significant bat roosting is found, these structures will be maintained, or alternative roosts suitable for the species and colony size will be provided prior to adverse modification or destruction.

FW-036 Further consultation with US Fish and Wildlife Service is conducted on all projects within 20 air miles of known gray bat maternity sites, when these projects may affect canopy cover within perennial riparian corridors or forested lakeshores.

FW-037 A one-quarter (0.25) mile buffer of undisturbed forest will be maintained around known gray bat maternity and hibernation colony sites and known Rafinesque’s big-eared bat maternity, bachelor, or winter colony sites. Cutting of the overstory and midstory is prohibited in this buffer except where the treatment would benefit PETS species conservation..

Wood Stork

FW-038 In artificial impoundments used by foraging wood storks, water levels are managed to provide for and encourage annual use by this species.

FW-039 Enhance foraging habitat of artificial impoundments used by wood storks through the stocking of preferred prey fish (sunfish, bullhead, and catfish).

Green Pitcher Plant

FW-040 Prescribe burn green pitcher plants only in the early spring, and then only when necessary to control encroaching woody vegetation.

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Aquatic Species T&E AND SENSITIVE/ FW-041 Culverts that are barriers to stream biota passage in waters of aquatic PETS LOCALLY RARE species have priority for replacement over culverts in waters without PETS SPECIES species

FW-042 Barriers may be used to prevent the encroachment of undesirable nonnative species.

FW-043 Aquatic habitat improvements, such as the addition of large woody debris, rock or other native materials in waters occupied by federally-listed aquatic species on Forest Service lands will be for the primary benefit of those listed species.

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OLD GROWTH OLD GROWTH

BACKGROUND There are many values that people associate with old growth, some of which are measurable and some not. Old growth provides both biological and social values. Old growth and other mature communities provide large den trees for wildlife species such as black bear, large snags for birds, bats and cavity nesters, and large cover logs for other wildlife. Old-growth areas provide for certain recreational experiences, research opportunities, and educational study. Other areas have associated historical, cultural, and spiritual values. Old-growth areas are also a source of large-diameter, high-value hardwoods; which are limited in supply and in high demand for such products as furniture and finish construction work. Old growth community types that occur on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests are shown in Table 2- 4. (For more detail on old growth community types, see Appendix D.)

Table 2- 4. Old Growth Community Types OGTY Code OGTY Name 02 Conifer/northern hardwood 05 Mixed mesophytic & western mesophytic 13 River floodplain hardwood 21 Dry-mesic oak forest 22 Dry-xeric oak forest, woodland, savanna 24 Xeric pine & pine-oak forest, woodland 25 Dry & dry-mesic oak-pine 27 Seasonally wet oak-hardwood woodland 28 Eastern riverfront forest

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 20 (a) Provide a well-distributed and representative network of large, medium and small potential old growth blocks in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Southern Ridge and Valley ecological sections. (b) Provide a well-distributed and representative network of medium and small potential old growth blocks in the Southern Appalachian Piedmont ecological section.

OBJECTIVE 20.1 Reserve 5 percent of each 6th level HUC that has at least 1,000 acres of National Forest in management that will conserve existing, or provide for the development of future, old growth.

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GOAL 21 Restore formerly existing old-growth community types (composition, not OLD structure) where ecologically appropriate. GROWTH

OBJECTIVE 21.1 Restore 250 acres of old-growth community type 13 in the Southern Ridge and Valley ecological section within the fifteen years of Plan implementation.

STANDARDS FW-044 In 6th level HUCs with 1,000 acres or more of National Forest and less than 5 percent already allocated to old growth or old-growth compatible management, increase the old growth conservation to a total of 5 percent of the National Forest area by identifying additional small blocks of less than 100 acres. Once reserved, these blocks will be managed to protect their old growth characteristics during this Plan cycle.

FW-045 Additional small old growth blocks are not required to be identified at 6th level hydrologic unit scale before vegetation management projects that would negatively affect meeting the old growth criteria occur at smaller scale, such as a sub-watershed or compartment, but incremental progress will be made toward the 6th level HUC old growth objective, if not already satisfied, by reserving an amount consistent with the proportion of the watershed included in the project area.

FW-046 Where vegetation management projects that would negatively affect old growth characteristics are being proposed, and the oldest age class of the affected stands meets the minimum age for their particular old growth type, collect data sufficient to determine if stands meet the four defining criterion for existing old growth. If so, give priority for old growth conservation in satisfying the small block objective during this Plan cycle.

FW-047 The minimum old growth block size for tracking purposes is ten acres.

FW-048 In reserving small blocks of future old growth, give first preference to those stands that most-nearly meet the criteria for existing old growth, then decreasing preference with increasing departure from the old growth criteria; that is, quality is more important than block size or distribution within the watershed.

FW-049 In reserving small blocks in all ecological sections, first priority is given to stands meeting the four defining criteria for existing old growth in the Regional Old Growth Guidance.

FW-050 In reserving small blocks in the Southern Ridge and Valley ecological section, the secondary priorities for additional representation are in the order of: (1) river floodplain hardwood, and (2) all others.

FW-051 In reserving small blocks in the Southern Appalachian Piedmont ecological section (Oconee Ranger District), secondary priorities for additional representation are in the order of: (1) eastern riverfront forest or dry-xeric oak forest, woodland, savanna; (2) xeric pine and pine-oak forest; (3) dry- mesic oak forest or mixed mesophytic; and (4) all others.

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OLD FW-052 In reserving small blocks in the Southern Appalachian Piedmont ecological GROWTH section portion of the Chattooga Ranger District, secondary priorities for additional representation are in the order of: (1) dry-xeric oak forest, woodland, savanna; (2) mixed mesophytic; (3) dry and dry-mesic oak-pine forest and (4) all others.

FW-053 In reserving small blocks in the Blue Ridge Mountains ecological section, the secondary priorities for additional representation are in the order of: (1) river floodplain hardwood, (2) dry and dry-mesic oak-pine, (3) conifer- northern hardwood, and (4) all others.

FW-054 In the Blue Ridge Mountains ecological section, except for old growth community types 22 (dry-xeric oak forest, woodland, and savanna) and 24 (xeric pine and pine-oak forest, woodland, and savanna), conserve each stand meeting the criteria for existing old growth by not implementing management actions that would result in obvious human-caused disturbance that conflicts with old growth characteristics.

FW-055 Give priority consideration to meeting woodland restoration objectives in stands meeting the following criteria: • Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains ecological section • Old growth types 22 (dry-xeric oak forest, woodland, and savanna) and 24 (xeric pine and pine-oak forest, woodland, and savanna) • The oldest age class at least minimum old growth age. In achieving those objectives, leave conditions that meet the criteria for existing old growth in these types when compatible with the purpose and need for specific projects affecting these areas.

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WATERSHED MANAGEMENT WATERSHED MANAGEMENT (WATER QUALITY, (WATER QUALITY, AQUATIC HABITATS, AND SOILS) AQUATIC HABITATS, AND SOILS) BACKGROUND “Throughout human history, water has played a central, defining role. It has sculpted the biological and physical landscape through erosion and disturbance. Water has also played a key role in shaping the pattern and type of human occupancy; routes of travel and transportation, patterns of settlement, and the nature and scope of human land-use all owe their characteristics largely to water regimes” (Water and the Forest Service, USDA Forest Service, 2000) Georgia is no exception to this role of water in history, as early settlement and trade often centered on water sources and the surrounding watersheds. In the 21st century, conflicts continue to exist over the supply and quality of water and its associated resources. Water is the lifeblood for human consumption. It also provides habitat for water-dependent species of plants, animals and other aquatic life, which in turn support many terrestrial wildlife species. Basins of five rivers in Georgia (Savannah, Tennessee, Coosa, Chattahoochee, and Altamaha) have portions of their headwaters within the boundaries of the National Forests. As these waters flow downstream away from the Forests, numerous cities and towns withdraw water that is integral to their existence.

Watersheds contain terrestrial, aquatic, riparian, and wetland resources that include both physical and biological components. Riparian and wetland areas, in particular, provide habitat for many wildlife species and provide important links between upland and stream habitats by providing shade, large woody debris and cover. Soils are an integral component of all of these habitats and serve as the primary medium for controlling the movement and storage of energy and water. The physical, chemical and biological properties of soils determine productivity, hydrologic response, site stability and ecosystem resiliency.

A primary mission of the Forest Service is to provide high-quality water in sufficient quantities to meet all needs of natural resource and human requirements. Because several of the river systems within Georgia have headwater sources within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest proclamation boundaries, it is imperative that the Forests emphasize proper management to ensure that good, clean water is provided to meet these needs.

Water supplies in the southeastern United States are abundant, however expanding urbanization and drought cycles are creating demands that strain supplies. Maintaining water quality requires attention to the impacts that cause degradation. Direct impacts such as mechanical disturbance of slopes, soils, and vegetation may cause erosion and increased sediment delivery to streams. Indirect impacts may include degraded riparian and aquatic habitat, reduced channel stability, and diminished water quality. The maintenance and enhancement of aquatic habitats are also necessary to maintain healthy populations of fish, mussels, and amphibians.

Effective watershed management requires coordination and collaboration at multiple watershed scales. Communication with adjacent private property owners and local and state governments are required to identify pollution sources and impacts. Strategies to resolve watershed impacts require a myriad of solutions and strong partnerships to realize success in maintaining healthy watersheds.

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WATERSHED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES MANAGEMENT (WATER QUALITY, Water Quality and Soil Protection AQUATIC HABITATS, AND GOAL 22 Watersheds are managed (and where needed, restored) to provide resilient SOILS) and stable conditions to support the quality of water necessary to protect ecological functions and support intended beneficial water uses.

OBJECTIVE 22.1 In cooperation and coordination with state and local agencies help prioritize, develop, and implement science-based Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) per the timeframe of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division within budget and staffing capability.

OBJECTIVE 22.2 Create a forest Geographic Information System wetlands layer within the first 7 years of Plan implementation.

GOAL 23 Manage instream flows and water levels by working with other agencies if possible to protect stream processes, aquatic and riparian habitats and communities, and recreation and aesthetic values.

OBJECTIVE 23.1 Instream flows needed to protect stream processes, aquatic and riparian habitats and communities, and recreation and aesthetic values will be determined as 6th level watershed analyses are completed, if water withdrawal is determined to be an issue in the assessment area.

GOAL 24 Maintain or restore soil productivity and quality.

OBJECTIVE 24.1 Soil and water improvement needs are prioritized and restoration work is done annually based on field inventories and assessments. Improve watershed conditions across 500 acres per decade on the Chattahoochee-Oconee NF.

GOAL 25 Institute effective and consistent watershed management approaches with adjoining National Forests and adjacent landowners to sustain or restore the health of watersheds.

OBJECTIVE 25.1 Cooperate with Georgia Department of Natural Resources to identify reference streams and/or reference stream conditions within six years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 25.2 Complete an annual average of ten watershed assessments at the 6th level HUC or smaller scale on a priority basis. Priority will be given to watersheds where federally-listed aquatic species occur or are within close proximity to Forest Service lands.

OBJECTIVE 25.3 Within the first eight years of Plan implementation, complete a watershed assessment on each stream or stream segment within the Forest planning area that is listed in the 305(b) and 303(d) reports by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division as not supporting or only partially supporting designated beneficial uses due to sediment-related impairment.

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WATERSHED Aquatic Habitats MANAGEMENT

(WATER QUALITY, Restore and/or maintain aquatic ecosystems in amounts, arrangements, GOAL 26 AQUATIC and conditions capable of supporting viable populations of all native and HABITATS, AND desired nonnative species of aquatic flora and fauna within the planning SOILS) area.

OBJECTIVE 26.1 Define habitat relationships for aquatic PETS species or groups of associated species within five years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 26.2 Inventory annually, on a representative sample basis, 10 percent of perennial stream miles for biota (including nonnative species) and/or habitat improvement needs.

OBJECTIVE 26.3 Within ten years of Plan implementation assess fourth order or larger streams within National Forest ownership for barriers to stream biota passage. Prioritize identified barriers for mitigation.

OBJECTIVE 26.4 Identify and prioritize streams for restoration of brook trout in cooperation with the Georgia DNR within six years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 26.5 Assess the approximately 300 acres of Forest Service owned lakes and ponds for habitat improvement needs for fish and amphibians within ten years of Plan implementation.

STANDARDS FW-056 When seeding disturbed soils for revegetation purposes, use only native or non-persistent nonnative species per Region policy.

FW-057 Proposals for management activities on lakes and reservoirs owned and managed by the Forest Service will be guided by strategies developed for each water body. These strategies will be developed and periodically updated in coordination with State and other appropriate agencies and stakeholders. Strategies will include consideration of water level management, fish stocking, liming and fertilization, aquatic weed control, recreational uses and site-specific issues related to water quality, threatened and endangered species, and species of viability concern.

FW-058 Only mowing, chopping, shearing, ripping, and scarifying methods of mechanical site preparation are permitted on sustained slopes between 15 and 35 percent. No mechanical site preparation equipment is permitted on sustained slopes over 35 percent.

FW-059 Mechanical site preparation is not done on sustained slopes over 20 percent with soil erosion hazard classified as moderate or higher.

FW-060 To limit soil compaction, no mechanical site preparation equipment is used on plastic soils when the water table is within 12 inches of the surface, or when soil moisture exceeds the plastic limit. Soil moisture exceeds the plastic limit if the soil can be rolled to pencil size without breaking or crumbling.

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WATERSHED FW-061 Mechanical site preparation equipment is operated so that furrows and soil MANAGEMENT indentations are aligned with grades under 5 percent along the contour of (WATER QUALITY, the slope. AQUATIC

HABITATS, AND FW-062 In mechanical site preparation, windrows and piles are spaced no more SOILS) than 200 feet apart to limit soil exposure, soil compaction, and nutrient loss from piling and raking. Windrows are aligned on the contour.

FW-063 When piling in mechanical site preparation, at least 80 percent of the area must retain some ground cover of litter and duff, and soil must not be displaced with dozer blades.

FW-064 Mitigation for acid rain and other pollution effects is allowed after evaluation on a case-by-case basis.

FW-065 On all soils dedicated to maintaining forest cover, the organic layers, topsoil, and root mat will be left intact over at least 80 percent of an activity or project area.

FW-066 Water control structures necessary for the control of surface water movement resulting from soil disturbing activities will be constructed within 30 days of completion of the activity.

FW-067 Mitigate bare soil exposure prior to any suspension of project activity for 30 days or longer.

FW-068 On all soils dedicated to growing vegetation, re-vegetation to appropriate species will be completed to a minimum of 85 percent coverage within the first growing season following the completion of project activity.

FW-069 Prioritize and implement watershed improvement needs based on watershed assessment and stream condition inventories. Highest priority is given to locations with known occurrence of federally-listed aquatic species on National Forest land or within three stream miles below the farthest downstream location of National Forest ownership.

FW-070 Implement current Georgia Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Control (Chapter 391-3-6) for all projects as a minimum to meet water quality objectives. Georgia’s Best Management Practices for Forestry (BMPs) will be met or exceeded to meet water quality objectives for silviculture and related treatments.

FW-071 Water is not diverted from streams (perennial or intermittent) or lakes when an instream flow needs or water level assessment indicates the diversion would adversely affect protection of stream processes, aquatic and riparian habitats and communities, or recreation and aesthetic values.

FW-072 To protect amphibians and invertebrates, do not stock newly constructed wildlife watering holes or beaver ponds with fish.

FW-073 Stocking of new nonnative game fish species is prohibited.

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WATERSHED FW-074 Stocking of trout - other than brook trout - in previously unstocked streams MANAGEMENT or previously unstocked stream segments above natural barriers is (WATER QUALITY, discouraged where it will adversely impact the populations or habitat of AQUATIC native aquatic species or communities in that stream. Prior to any stocking, HABITATS, AND coordinate with the appropriate Federal and/or State agencies to ensure SOILS) that populations and habitats of native species are maintained.

FW-075 Watershed assessments, monitoring, and evaluation will be coordinated with adjoining Forests and State agencies at fourth level Hydrologic Units (HUCs) and higher.

FW-076 Identify and prioritize watershed improvement projects affecting multiple ownerships through collaboration with adjacent landowners.

Ephemeral Stream Standards

The following standards apply forestwide to ephemeral streams, defined in Appendix C. These standards apply to the Ephemeral Stream Zone, identified as 25 feet on either side of an ephemeral stream with evidence of scouring, regardless of slope. Scouring is described as movement of the duff or litter material on the surface due to water movement, exposing the soil below. Ephemeral streams do not have defined channels, flow only in direct response to precipitation and lack riparian areas. They are hydrologically connected to intermittent and perennial streams downstream.

The primary purpose of this Zone is to maintain the ability of the land areas along ephemeral streams to filter sediment from upslope disturbances while achieving the treatments of the management prescription area. In addition, the emphasis along ephemeral streams is to maintain stream stability and sediment controls by minimizing soil disturbance in the stream bottom and maintaining or restoring large woody debris. The overall management direction in this Zone reflects the surrounding management prescription.

FW-077 Motorized vehicle use in ephemeral stream zones is restricted to designated crossings. Motorized vehicles are allowed outside designated crossings on a case-by-case basis when vehicle entry would create less ground disturbance than cable winching.

FW-078 A minimum of 20 square feet per acre of basal area of canopy or midstory trees will be left following tree removal activities.

FW-079 Partial suspension is required when yarding logs over ephemeral streams, unless an improved crossing is used, e.g. culvert or bridge.

FW-080 The removal of large woody debris is allowed if the debris poses a significant risk to stream flows or water quality, degrades habitat for riparian-associated species, blocks intended recreation access, or poses a threat to private property or Forest Service infrastructure. The need for removal is determined on a case-by-case basis.

FW-081 New impoundments for wildlife habitat improvements may be allowed with site-specific analysis.

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WATERSHED FW-082 Temporary culverts or bridges will be used to cross ephemeral streams MANAGEMENT where needed to protect channel stability or minimize erosion or scouring. (WATER QUALITY, Culverts will be removed when activities are completed, and the ephemeral AQUATIC stream zone will be restored to a natural condition. Stabilize disturbed soils HABITATS, AND at crossings. SOILS) FW-083 Recreation trails, campsites, and other permanent recreational developments are located, designed, and constructed outside the ephemeral stream zone (25 feet on either side). Those causing unacceptable resource damage will be closed and/or rehabilitated.

FW-084 Use fuel-break construction and/or mitigation methods that: (a) leave the root mat intact, (b) do not leave bare mineral soil exposed, and (c) do not create landforms that will drain directly into ephemeral streams for 25 feet on either side of ephemeral streams. Such methods include wet lines or use of existing constructed or natural barriers. If fuel-break construction results in breaking the root mat and thus exposure of bare mineral soil and connection to an ephemeral stream, restore the fire break for 25 feet on each side of the stream with re-shaping of the soil surface and placing a soil cover in a timely manner to minimize erosion.

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WOOD WOOD PRODUCTS PRODUCTS

BACKGROUND Reduction in the number of woody stems by felling, top kill in place, removal or some combination of these is essential to achieving some of the desired vegetation composition, structure, condition, and function objectives of this forest plan. When stems are of a species, size, and quality to be in demand by wood-using industry; timber sales are often the most cost-effective means to reach those desired conditions. Therefore timber harvest is permitted for some, but not all, management prescriptions under this Plan. From within those permitting it, an estimate of harvest volume was produced from only those management prescriptions where harvest could be expected to regularly and periodically occur. Those prescriptions were identified in the EIS by alternative and a harvest volume estimate was presented for each alternative.

The specific estimate for this Plan is in Appendix F. That estimate is not a Plan objective. It is for information and to comply with substantive requirements of the National Forest Management Act. Further, the vegetation objectives of this Plan have not been developed for the purpose of furnishing wood raw material to local wood-using industry. There is no objective for any amount of wood volume harvest in this Plan; rather harvest volume is a by-product of management for other purposes. Specific forestwide, management area, or management prescription standards constrain the use of timber harvest. There are several monitoring items for the use of timber harvest.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 27 Provide a stable supply of wood products within the historic NF market area as an outcome of achieving non-timber objectives.

GOAL 28 Provide supplies of those wood products where the Forest Service is in a unique position to make an impact on meeting the demand; particularly high-quality raw material for specialty uses.

STANDARDS FW-085 No timber harvesting shall occur on lands classified as not suited for timber production except for salvage sales, harvesting activities necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or harvesting activities needed to meet other (non-timber) desired conditions of the management prescriptions established in this Land and Resource Management Plan.

FW-086 The maximum size of an opening created by even-aged or two-aged regeneration treatments is 40 acres. For yellow pine, 80 acres is permitted if restoration requires larger openings. Exceptions to these acreage limitations may be permitted following review by the Regional Forester. These acreage limits do not apply to areas treated as a result of natural catastrophic conditions such as fire, insect or disease attack, or windstorm. Areas not managed for sustained yield (for example, meadows; pastures; food plots; rights-of-way; woodlands, savannas, and grasslands) even if within an otherwise suitable prescription, are not subject to these standards

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WOOD and are not included in calculations of opening size, even when within or PRODUCTS adjacent to created openings.

FW-087 Separate openings created by even-aged regeneration harvest units from each other by a minimum distance of 330 feet (5 chains). However, such openings may be clustered closer than 330 feet as long as their combined acreage does not exceed the maximum opening size. The area between these harvest units must support a stand of vegetation that has grown sufficiently to no longer be classified as an opening, unless the adjacent area is permanently managed as an opening (e.g., meadows, old fields, wildlife openings, roads, and utility corridors) and not managed for sustained yield. An even-aged regeneration area will no longer be considered an opening when the certified reestablished stand has reached an age of five years.

FW-088 In the seed tree or shelterwood methods of regeneration, residual trees are not removed until the certified reestablished stand has reached an age of five years, and the average height of regeneration is at least ten feet tall.

FW-089 Regeneration harvests on lands suitable for timber production must be done under a regeneration harvest method where adequate stocking of desirable species is expected to occur within five years after the final harvest cut. (Five years after final harvest means five years after clearcutting, five years after final over-story removal in shelterwood cutting, five years after the seed tree removal cut in seed tree cutting, or five years after selection cutting). The new stand must meet the minimum stocking levels as described in Table 2- 5. These standards apply to both artificial and natural means of stand regeneration. Where natural means are used and stand reestablishment has not been accomplished within three years after committing the stand to regeneration, the stand is re-examined for further treatment needs.

Table 2- 5. Reforestation Stocking Standards Number of Stems Per Acre1 at End of Third Growing Season Forest Type Minimum Desired Maximum

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) 200 300-450 600 Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata) 200 300-450 600 Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) 200 300-450 600 Hardwood saplings (Quercus, Carya, etc.) 100 150-250 300 Pine-oak 150 250-400 450 Oak-pine 100 200-250 350 White pine (Pinus strobus) 100 150-200 350 Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) 200 350-450 650 Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) 200 300-500 600 1. These numbers are guides and must be used with professional judgement to determine specific restocking numbers of stems per acre for an individual site.

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WOOD FW-090 Unless necessary for insect or disease control or to provide for public and employee safety, standing snags or den trees will not be cut or bulldozed PRODUCTS during vegetation management treatments unrelated to timber salvage. For timber salvage treatments, all live den trees, and a minimum of five snags per acre from the largest size classes will be retained. Distribution of retained snags may be clumped.

FW-091 In even-aged regeneration areas where at least two snags per acre are not present or cannot be retained as residuals, at least two standing snags per acre will be created from the larger diameter classes within the original stand. In addition, a minimum of five of the largest diameter living trees per acre will be retained to provide potential future snags during the early and middle stages of stand development. Distribution of snags and live residuals may be scattered or clumped at stand scale. Live den trees are not to be used for snag creation, but may count toward live residuals.

FW-092 Recognize offsite species and consider these locations for restoration to more ecologically appropriate communities.

FW-093 For even-age timber management on lands classified as suitable, methods that maintain stocking levels (stems per acre) and improve growth rates are used.

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AESTHETICS/ SCENERY AESTHETICS/SCENERY MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT

BACKGROUND Public concern for the quality of scenery on National Forest System lands in the Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley, and Piedmont geographic provinces, is ever increasing. Many sightseers visit the National Forest as part of an interwoven experience with other tourist opportunities. The mountainous Chattahoochee National Forest provides many opportunities for high quality, nature-related and rural culture sightseeing and scenic viewing, as does the Piedmont area on the Oconee National Forest. Scenic features on the Chattahoochee National Forest include the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, Congressionally-designated wilderness areas (10), the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Coosa Bald National Scenic Area, the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway, the Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway, the Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area, and the Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area. The Oconee National Forest offers premier opportunities for wildlife viewing and driving for pleasure. Numerous distinctively scenic and historic “special places” of a more localized importance are also available.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 29 Protect and enhance the scenic/aesthetic values and the Landscape Character of the National Forest lands in the Southern Appalachians, the Ridge and Valley and the Piedmont by meeting all adopted Scenic Integrity Objectives on Forest Service lands within individual management prescriptions.

OBJECTIVE 29.1 Maintain and update the Scenery Management System. Updates will be accomplished in the course of site-specific project analysis.

OBJECTIVE 29.2 Within 12 years of Plan implementation, map the seen area for the Forests’ existing nationally designated trails, including any trails added since plan implementation, using computerized tools.

OBJECTIVE 29.3 Within ten years of Plan implementation, raise the scenic integrity in areas where the inventoried Existing Scenic Integrity condition is Low, Very Low, or unacceptably low and improvement is within Forest Service control and otherwise feasible.

OBJECTIVE 29.4 Within ten years of Plan implementation, improve amenities and views within high use areas, vista points, and along interpretive trails.

GOAL 30 Provide a variety of Landscape Character themes with the predominant themes being Natural Appearing, Natural Evolving, and variations of these themes.

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STANDARDS AESTHETICS/ SCENERY FW-094 Meet the Scenic Integrity Objective (SIO) of Moderate for the areas seen in MANAGEMENT the middle ground distance zone of the Appalachian Trail prescription, and manage them for a Natural Appearing Landscape Character theme.

FW-095 Favor 14-inch and larger trees in a mixture with other smaller sized tree stems when creating spatial diversity along travelways and in recreation use areas.

FW-096 The Scenery Management System guides protection and enhancement of scenery on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The Scenic Class Inventory, including Landscape Visibility, Concern Level, and Scenic Attractiveness, is maintained, refined, and updated as a result of site- specific project analysis. The standards under each management prescription in Chapter 3 refer to the Scenic Class Inventory as updated.

FW-097 The Forest Scenic Integrity Objective (SIO) Maps and Scenic Integrity Objectives Tables in each prescription govern all new projects, including special uses. Assigned SIOs are consistent with Recreation Opportunity Spectrum management direction. Existing conditions may not currently meet the assigned SIO.

FW-100 In areas with very high scenic integrity objectives, management actions are limited to alterations that are low scenic impact.

FW-101 The Forest Scenic Integrity Objectives (SIOs) Maps and Scenic Integrity Objectives Table will be referenced for all new projects, including special uses.

FW-102 Maintain consistency between adopted SIOs and Recreation Opportunity Spectrum management direction.

FW-103 Shape and orient vegetative management openings in the forest canopy to contours and existing vegetation patterns to blend with existing landscape characteristics. Shape and feather the edges in High and Moderate SIO areas. Do not use geometric shapes.

FW-104 In seed-tree and conventional shelter wood treatments in High and Moderate SIO areas, delay removal of overstory until the certified reestablished stand is ten feet or more in height.

FW-105 Normally apply leave tree and unit marking to not be visible within 100 feet of Concern Level 1 and 2 travel ways and use areas. In these areas remove, burn, chip, or lop slash to be within two feet of the ground.

FW-106 Design and construction of roads will meet the adopted SIO.

FW-107 During construction of facilities and/or roads, eliminate or remove from view, to the extent possible, slash and root wads in the immediate foreground in High and Moderate SIO zones except when these materials are used as part of the mitigation measures. Project-specific mitigations may specify a distance defined as ‘immediate foreground.’

FW-108 Cut stems to within approximately six inches of the ground when doing roadside maintenance and utility crossing maintenance at roads and trails.

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AESTHETICS/ SCENERY FW-109 Exclude gravel pits and borrow areas from the seen area of visually sensitive Concern Level 1 and 2 travelways and use areas. MANAGEMENT

FW-110 When consistent with project objectives, favor flowering and other visually attractive trees and under story shrubs when selecting vegetation to be left as a mitigation measure.

FW-111 When engaged in scenery enhancement activities, plant native wildflowers, shrubs, and/or trees with showy flowers, fall foliage, and/or fruits.

FW-112 The following trails having National recognition or potential to receive it during this plan cycle are recognized as primary trails. • William Bartram • Anna Ruby Falls • Arkaquah • Duncan Ridge • Jacks Knob • Pinhoti • Benton MacKaye • The AT approach trail from Amicalola Falls State Park to Springer Mountain

These trails are ‘embedded’ within numerous management prescriptions, but regardless of the management prescription, the area seen as foreground from these trails will be managed with an SIO of High.

FW-113 Lands mapped as Concern Level 1 middleground from travelways and use areas will be inventoried as Scenic Class 2 or higher and will be managed for an SIO of Moderate or higher.

FW-114 Promptly rehabilitate firelines to appear natural in areas of High and Very High SIO.

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RECREATION RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES/EXPERIENCES OPPORTUNITIES/ EXPERIENCES

BACKGROUND National forests provide a variety of dispersed and developed recreational opportunities. People are using trails today for much more than backpacking. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-highway vehicles are all used on national forest trails. Due to the limited supply and diverse uses, these trails are often congested, and conflicts sometimes occur between user groups. Congestion in recreation use tends to occur on the shores of lakes and streams because these settings are in high demand. Additional user control may become necessary to limit the number of people in overcrowded areas or in biologically sensitive areas.

Developed Recreation Areas Developed recreation areas on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests include the following:

Anna Ruby Falls (in Anna Ruby Scenic Area in MRx 4.F.2) DeSoto Falls (in DeSoto Falls Scenic Area in MRx 4.F.2) Keown Falls (in Keown Falls Scenic Area in MRX 4.F.2) Woody Gap (in MRx 4.A)

Lake Sinclair Morganton Point Sandy Bottoms Oconee River Barnes Creek Dockery Lake Hillsboro Lake Lake Conasauga Lake Winfield Scott Andrews Cove Hidden Creek Tate Branch Brasstown Bald Pocket Tallulah River Panther Creek Lake Chatuge Dukes Creek Falls Fern Springs Lakewood Landing Willis Knob Horse Lake Russell Deep Hole Camp Waters Creek Lake Blue Ridge Redlands & Swords Camp Wahsega Rabun Beach Boat Ramps Cooper Creek Warwoman Dell Mulky Frank Gross

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 31 Provide a spectrum of high quality, nature-based recreation settings and opportunities, that reflect the unique or exceptional resources of the Forest and the interests of the recreating public on an environmentally sustainable, financially sound, and operationally effective basis. Adapt management of recreation facilities and opportunities as needed to shift limited resources to those opportunities.

OBJECTIVE 31.1 Recognize and respond to emerging recreation trends and uses within the Forest recreation niche by periodic assessments.

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RECREATION GOAL 32 Provide for the physical security of the forest visitor commensurate with the OPPORTUNITIES/ recreation setting. EXPERIENCES OBJECTIVE 32.1 Annually identify hazardous trees and plan for removal or mitigation within developed recreation facilities.

OBJECTIVE 32.2 Develop and keep current cooperative agreements with local emergency services for law enforcement, search, rescue, and recovery operations through periodic review.

OBJECTIVE 32.3 Provide wildlife-proof trash receptacles in concentrated recreation areas within five years of Plan implementation.

GOAL 33 For Regional Forester Scenic Areas, enhance, restore and create forest habitats as required for wildlife, rare plant communities and historic forest types.

GOAL 34 Trails do not adversely affect soil and water resources.

OBJECTIVE 34.1 Prioritize OHV, horse and pack stock, bike, and hiking trails for condition surveys based on their risk of causing adverse effects, conduct surveys, prioritize for remedial action those that are found to be adversely affecting soil and water resources, and correct those situations within five years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 34.2 For trails under Forest Service jurisdiction, bi-annually maintain to established standards: • 100 percent of designated OHV trails • 50 percent of trails open to horses • 50 percent of trails open to mountain bikes • 33 percent of foot trails

STANDARDS Recreation General

FW-115 Recreational facilities improvements, expansions, and additions will be within the capabilities of the land and appropriate to the ROS class.

FW-116 Where recreational uses are negatively affecting Federally-listed species, or individuals of other species that are needed to maintain their population viability on the national forest, uses and/or sites are modified to eliminate negative effects. Recreational uses may be prohibited if the uses are affecting T&E negatively.

FW-117 All recreation site plans and revisions require Forest Supervisor approval.

FW-118 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum maps will govern all new projects. Existing conditions may not meet the assigned ROS classes.

FW-119 Control insect and disease infestations when detected in recreation areas to provide for public safety and to minimize resource damage to the recreation area.

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RECREATION FW-120 Recreation uses and resource conditions within riparian corridors will OPPORTUNITIES/ comply with the riparian corridor management prescription. EXPERIENCES FW-121 Promptly implement mitigation measures for recreation uses causing unacceptable resource impacts to return conditions to be within acceptable limits, or if not possible, stop the use and rehabilitate the affected areas.

FW-122 Do not encourage recreation use of rare communities.

FW-123 The search for treasure trove, that is money, un-mounted gems, precious metals or other high value items deliberately hidden with the intention of later recovery (but not including geo-caching) will only be allowed as authorized by a special use permit, including any specific case by case restrictions.

FW-124 Recreational metal detecting is not allowed except in areas that do not contain, or would not reasonably be expected to contain, archaeological or historical resources (such as swimming beaches or picnic areas). It must be for lawful purposes (i.e., does not violate the Archaeological Resources Protection Act or CFR 36 CFR 261.9). Under these conditions, the collection of items not deliberately hidden with the intention of later recovery is permissible without a permit. Individual management prescriptions may prohibit metal detecting.

Trails – General

FW-125 Forest Supervisor closure orders for existing trails or use areas will be used when necessary to manage environmental impacts and to protect public safety.

FW-126 OHV use is on designated routes only, that is, no public cross country travel is allowed.

FW-127 Horse, pack stock, and bike use is on designated routes only, that is, no public cross country travel is allowed. Routes include authorized trails, open roads, and closed roads unless otherwise posted.

FW-128 Acceptance of existing travelways or creation of new trails will comply with direction within individual management prescriptions.

FW-129 During active projects, all trails, ditches, and other associated improvements in the project area are kept free of logs, slash, and debris. Any trail, ditch, or other improvement damaged by operations is promptly repaired.

FW-130 During construction, stabilize trail stream crossing segments that are within 100 feet of the stream measured perpendicular to the stream bank before continuing construction outside this area whenever aquatic T&E species occur within one stream mile downstream of the crossing.

FW-131 To minimize the length of streamside disturbance, ensure that trail approach sections are aligned at or as near right angles as possible to the stream channel. Locate riparian corridor crossings to minimize the amount of fill material needed and minimize channel impacts.

FW-132 When the level of recreational trail use has degraded water control structures resulting in sediment reaching a stream, the situation will be

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RECREATION mitigated by utilizing all appropriate corrective measures scaled in intensity OPPORTUNITIES/ to the degree of the problem, up to trail closure if necessary.

EXPERIENCES FW-133 Prohibit rock climbing at T&E and sensitive plant and animal locations through coordination with recreation and natural resources staff. Divert new and existing hiking trails away from these sites and use barriers and signs to close access, if needed.

FW-134 New trails other than hiking trails will be located outside of the riparian corridor, except at designated crossings or where the trail location requires some encroachment (e.g., to accommodate stream crossings in steep terrain, etc.). Hiking trails and boardwalks may be considered on a project- level basis, if consistent with riparian corridor desired conditions.

FW-135 All new stream crossings for system trails will be constructed so that they do not adversely affect the passage of aquatic organisms, or significantly alter the natural flow regime. Exceptions may be allowed to prevent the upstream migration of undesired species.

FW-136 Where projects to expand the trail system are under consideration, give priority to: (1) the re-use of existing travel ways that meet all applicable plan standards and all Forest Service trails handbook requirements, and (2) the reuse of existing travel ways that can be made to meet the standards more cost effectively than new construction.

FW-137 Motorized and non-motorized trail reconstruction and relocation within the ephemeral stream zone is allowed when needed to reduce impacts to riparian and aquatic resources.

Trails – Motorized

FW-138 New OHV systems may only be considered in areas that have met screening criteria as shown in Appendix J of the Plan.

FW-139 Noise emissions from motorized equipment on trails will not exceed 94 dB for all vehicles manufactured after January 1, 1986 and 99dB for all vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1986 as measured by the SAE J1287, June 1998 stationary test. (See Technical Report “Correlation of Off-Highway Motorcycle Sound Test Methods: EPA/SAE” for test results.)

FW-140 All off-highway vehicles and motorcycles will be required to have factory installed operational spark arrestors when operating on the National Forest.

FW-141 For operation on open system roads, off-highway vehicles and operators must, at a minimum, be in compliance with applicable State law to operate on National Forest.

FW-142 Motorized use of the non-motorized portion of the trail system is only permissible: for Forest Service administrative purposes; for emergencies; at road crossings; if a trail is specifically designated for multi-use; or when a trail segment is coincident with an open public road.

FW-143 New motorized recreation trails are prohibited within the ephemeral stream zone, except at designated crossings or where the trail location requires some encroachment, for example, to accommodate steep terrain.

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RECREATION FW-144 In case of emergencies threatening life and property (e.g. wildfire or search OPPORTUNITIES/ and rescue), cross-country motorized or non-motorized use, off open and EXPERIENCES designated roads and trails, is allowable by non-Forest Service personnel subject to prescription direction and the prior verbal approval of the appropriate line officer or their designated acting.

Trails – Non-motorized

FW-145 Development of new hiking trails is constrained by individual management prescriptions.

FW-146 Camping with horses and pack stock is restricted to designated and posted equestrian camping areas. Refer to Management Prescription 11, Riparian Corridors, standard 11-015 in chapter 3.

FW-147 Newly constructed horse trails will be a minimum of five miles in length, except when linked with an existing system such as a connector from a new trailhead or interior cross-connection.

FW-148 New non-motorized trail construction within the ephemeral stream zone is allowed when needed to replace existing trail configuration and improve access.

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WILDERNESS MANAGEMENT/ ROADLESS WILDERNESS MANAGEMENT/ROADLESS AREAS AREAS BACKGROUND In 1964, the United States Congress passed the National Wilderness Act, giving legislated “Wilderness” recognition and designation to specified federally–owned lands. Ten wilderness areas totaling approximately 117,000 acres are located within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Designated wilderness lands are managed to preserve their natural qualities. Once designated, primarily the forces of nature affect these lands. Here humans are visitors, and natural physical and biological forces are normally allowed to proceed unrestricted by human influences. People and their behavior are managed to prevent or reduce unwanted human impact on wilderness values. Wilderness is a place to find solitude and enjoy a primitive and unconfined recreation experience, away from predominating sight and sound of other humans. Visitors are encouraged to practice ‘Leave No Trace’ ethics.

Among Georgia's national forest communities of interest there is a wide spectrum of feelings and values for wilderness designation. Wilderness management concerns include: • patterns and intensities of uses • insect and disease management • fire management, including the use of management-ignited fire • incorporation of ‘limits of acceptable change’ concepts into plan direction • mitigation of air pollution effects on wilderness resources Roadless areas are places that have retained or are regaining a natural, untrammeled appearance – any signs of prior human activity are disappearing or being muted by natural forces. An individual roadless area must be at least 5,000 acres in size and include no more than one-half mile of improved road for each 1,000 acres. Should it ultimately take affect, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (Roadless Rule) would place restrictions on road construction and reconstruction, and the cutting, sale, or removal of timber that could occur in inventories roadless areas. The exceptions where road construction or reconstruction activities and timber cutting or removal activities would be allowed were identified in 36 CFR 294.12 and 294.13 as of September, 2003. Final disposition of the Roadless Rule will include direction to the agency for the long term.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 35 Provide the primitive or semi-primitive recreation experiences that are not available on other land ownerships.

GOAL 36 Wilderness areas are managed to provide their full range of wilderness resource benefits. Wilderness study areas (areas that have been recommended to Congress for designation) are managed to conserve their roadless characteristics.

OBJECTIVE 36.1 Develop the various wilderness plans for each existing designated wilderness, or additional wilderness designated prior to that date, within 15 years of Plan implementation. Examples of the required plans are the fire management plan and wilderness management plan.

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GOAL 37 Obtain full public ownership of National Forest lands within wilderness WILDERNESS boundaries, including subsurface rights. MANAGEMENT/ ROADLESS GOAL 38 Manage wilderness, roadless, and other un-roaded areas to provide the AREAS social and ecological benefits that only they can offer.

STANDARDS FW-149 The roadless character of inventoried roadless areas will be maintained so as to continue to meet Forest Service roadless area criteria.

FW-150 Do not exceed the Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) standards established in approved Wilderness Management Plans.

NOTE: Specific direction for designated Wilderness areas and wilderness study areas is found in Chapter 3 , MRx 1.A and 1.B.

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FOREST FOREST HEALTH HEALTH

BACKGROUND In an ecological sense, all of the issues concerning the physical and biological resources of the forests are, at least in part, about forest health. Health is central to the concept of sustainability. This holistic concept of forest health is addressed by the inter-relationships among the various Plan topics. As a separate subtopic, forest health is focused on the management of insect and disease risk of tree mortality in the vegetation communities, the introduction or spread of invasive species, and the effects of air pollutants.

Forest health conditions are not static. Forests change through time in both their susceptibility to forest pests and in the effects following from them. Environmental stressors such as over-crowding, lack of water, pollution, and lack of nutrients increase susceptibility. Within-species and between-species competition is a major stress factor. Trees also change physiologically with age and tend to become more susceptible to some pests. Past land use that has resulted in species growing in locations less than optimum for them (e.g., off site) is another pre-disposing factor. Natural events such as periodic severe drought or storms are additional stresses. Management actions can change the area affected and the severity of effects of some pests. However, the level of management needed often creates concerns about forest pest management.

The prevention, detection, evaluation, and suppression of insect and disease problems on the National Forests in the South is managed with the technical assistance of the Forest Health Protection (FHP) unit of the State and Private Forestry branch of the Forest Service. (See the State and Private Forestry topic.) The FHP Director is on the Regional Forester’s immediate staff. A field office in Asheville, NC serves Georgia and other southeastern states. The C-O NF has a designated FHP contact person at the Asheville office for forest health questions or to schedule field visits.

The FHP Unit also has a wider mission. They provide assistance to other Federal land managers; including the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corp of Engineers, and agencies in the Department of Defense. They assist cooperating State natural resource management agencies and regulatory agencies. The Unit also administers cooperative forest health cost-sharing programs, provides technology transfer, assists in technology development, and helps monitor the health of the Nation’s forests.

Some of the major concerns of forest health include oak decline, dogwood anthracnose, gypsy moth, hemlock woolly adelgid, southern pine beetle, nonnative invasive pest plants, and air quality.

Forests and streams located in areas of base-poor bedrock (sandstone and granite) and with elevations above 3,000 feet are being negatively affected by historic and current levels of acid deposition. This is especially true for spruce/fir forests, which do not occur on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, but are present on national forests on more northern sections of the Southern Appalachians. The two primary acidifying compounds are sulfates and nitrates. Of those two, nitrate deposition is most important in spruce/fir forests. The sources of acidifying compounds are generally located off National Forest lands, with coal-fired electric generation facilities and vehicles accounting for the bulk of sulfur and nitrogen emissions. When nitrogen is deposited in excess of forest nutrient needs, some nitrate will leave the soil and take with it essential nutrients, which impoverishes the soil resource. When nutrients are leached from soils, growth of vegetation can be reduced. Sulfur deposition can cause the same effects on soils when

2-38 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 2 the capacity to absorb sulfur is exceeded. Sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the soil also FOREST cause acidification of high elevation streams, thereby endangering the habitat of native HEALTH brook trout and other aquatic species. Recent and projected trends in air pollutants show sulfur compound emissions decreasing over the life of the Plan, whereas nitrogen compound emissions are projected to remain relatively flat.

Ozone pollution is negatively affecting the health of sensitive forest tree species, black cherry, for example. Ozone is formed through chemical reactions in the atmosphere between nitrogen oxide (from vehicles and coal-fired power generation) and volatile organic compounds (from industrial and natural sources) in the presence of sunlight. Ozone levels are highest during the summer. Recent studies suggest that competitiveness between tree species is changing over time due to elevated ozone levels. Tree species that are not sensitive to ozone will out compete more sensitive species over time. Significant reductions in ozone pollution over the life of the Plan are not anticipated, because nitrogen oxide emissions are not expected to decrease significantly.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 39 Develop an understanding of the extent and severity of effects of nonnative invasive species.

OBJECTIVE 39.1 Develop species-to-site relationships for nonnative invasive species to predict their probable locations within five years of Plan implementation.

GOAL 40 Through appropriate management, reduce populations of native and nonnative pest species or vulnerability to them.

OBJECTIVE 40.1 Maintain forest-stocking levels at no more than ‘fully stocked’ for the species, age, and site quality with priority for treatment given to those vegetation communities at highest risk of insect or disease attack.

• Reduce stem density on an annual average of 3,500 acres of overstocked loblolly pine stands less than 30 years old on the Oconee during the first 10 years of Plan implementation. • Reduce stem density on an annual average of 1,500 acres of overstocked loblolly pine stands on the Chattahoochee during the first 10 years of Plan implementation. • Reduce stem density on an annual average of 1,500 acres of overstocked shortleaf pine stands on the Chattahoochee during the first 10 years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 40.2 Annually assess populations and trends of southern pine beetle.

OBJECTIVE 40.3 Annually implement appropriate actions of the gypsy moth “Slow the Spread” (STS) strategy.

OBJECTIVE 40.4 Within five years of Plan implementation, for forest pests with dynamic hazard rating systems available, and for which use data is currently available, dynamically rate all National Forest stands for existing and future hazard level.

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FOREST OBJECTIVE 40.5 For forest pests with hazard rating systems currently available but which use data not currently available, collect such data and HEALTH rate all National Forest stands for hazard level within ten years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 40.6 For forest pests with hazard rating systems currently available, reduce hazard rating to moderate hazard levels or below and maintain for each pest within ten years of Plan implementation.

GOAL 41 Enhance forest health conditions in forest stands that are: (1) substantially damaged by fire, wind throw, or other catastrophes; or (2) in imminent danger from insect or disease attack.

GOAL 42 Contribute to the development of hazard rating systems for forest pests lacking such a system.

GOAL 43 Cooperate in the development and testing of biological control organisms.

STANDARDS FW-151 Comply with the direction contained in the current version of the Regional Forester’s invasive species list.

FW-152 Except as required to maintain RCW habitat, do not reforest High littleleaf hazard soils with shortleaf or loblolly pine, and do not reforest Moderate littleleaf hazard soils with shortleaf pine.

FW-153 During project level inventories, document the presence of species listed on the Regional Forester’s Invasive Species List.

FW-154 Identify and give priority for restoration to stands affected by oak decline.

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SPECIAL AREAS SPECIAL AREAS AND RARE COMMUNITIES AND RARE COMMUNITIES

BACKGROUND Numerous concerns have been expressed about managing rare communities, such as those identified in the Southern Appalachian Assessment. The assessment states that conservation of 31 rare terrestrial communities is a key to conserving rare plant and animal species. Eighty-four percent of federally-listed terrestrial threatened and endangered species in the Southern Appalachians are associated with rare communities and streamside habitats, which occur on less than 1 percent of the area. Similar groupings of listed aquatic and semi-aquatic species can be identified, although typing and inventory of rare aquatic communities has not been completed. Special Areas can be designated for special or unique aesthetic, archaeologic, biologic, geologic, historic, paleontologic, scientific resource values; or areas can be designated that provide unique and exceptional recreation experiences. Ecological communities such as caves, coves, rock outcrops, balds, and wetlands have been identified as possible "special areas." Concerns have been raised that some of these special areas are not adequately protected from activities in the surrounding areas, indicating the possible need for larger areas to be protected.

Table 2- 6. Rare Communities Identified for the Chattahoochee-Oconee NF

Wetland Communities Forest Communities

Appalachian Highlands Bogs, Fens, Table Mountain Pine Forest Seeps, and Ponds And Woodland Appalachian Highlands Riverine Basic Mesic Forest Vegetation

Cliffs and Rock Outcrops Other Rare Communities

Talus Slopes Glades, Barrens, and Associated Forested Boulderfields Woodlands Cliffs and Bluffs Balds Rock Outcrops Canebrakes Rocky Summits Caves and Mines

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 44 Identify and delineate any rare communities found on Forest lands, and then incorporate them into management prescriptions 4.D or 9.F.

OBJECTIVE 44.1 Within ten years of Plan implementation develop and validate a predictive model for potential locations of rare communities.

GOAL 45 Identify and conserve the unique features of special physical resources (such as geologic and paleontological areas).

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SPECIAL AREAS STANDARDS AND RARE COMMUNITIES FW-155 Rare communities as described in this plan are managed under the Rare Community Management Prescription (9.F) wherever they occur.

FW-156 Project areas are surveyed for rare communities prior to implementing projects that have potential to adversely affect them. A database of rare community locations and conditions across the forest is maintained, and is referred to during project planning.

FW-157 The conservation of the rare communities identified in this Forest plan takes precedence over achieving old growth management direction.

FW-158 Do not make specific locations of rare communities readily available to the general public.

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WILD AND WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS SCENIC RIVERS BACKGROUND The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Public Law 90-542: 16 USC 1271-1287, October 2, 1968) and its amendments provide for the protection of selected rivers and their immediate environments. To be considered for designation, rivers must possess one or more outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values. Designation preserves rivers in free-flowing condition, protects water quality and protects their immediate environments for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Recommended rivers are added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System through Federal legislation, after a study of the river’s eligibility and suitability for designation. The Forest Service is required to consider and evaluate rivers on lands they manage for potential designation while preparing their broader land and resource management plans under Section 5(d)(1) of the Act. Eligible streams are selected for their outstandingly remarkable values and classified into Wild, Scenic, or Recreational segments based on guidance in the Act. Streams found to be eligible are then analyzed against suitability criteria and a determination is made whether or not to recommend a river for designation.

In this plan, designated Wild and Scenic Rivers are managed under management prescription group 2.A. Recommended streams are managed under MRx 2.B until designated. Streams not recommended for Congressional designation will be managed in the 4.H. management prescription.

On May 10, 1974, the Chattooga River was designated as one of the original streams in the Wild and Scenic River System (WSR). It is the premier whitewater stream of the eastern United States, and at present, is the only WSR stream on the Chattahoochee- Oconee NF. Its 57 designated miles begin in North Carolina and become the state boundary between South Carolina (Sumter NF) and Georgia (Chattahoochee-Oconee NF). The Sumter National Forest has the lead for administrative duties on the Chattooga.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 46 Preserve the outstandingly remarkable values (as defined by the Wild and Scenic River Act) of streams designated, recommended, or eligible for the National Wild and Scenic River system for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

NOTE: Specific direction for designated and recommended Wild and Scenic Rivers is found in Chapter 3 , MRx 2.A and 2.B.

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ACCESS/ROAD MANAGEMENT ACCESS/ROAD MANAGEMENT

BACKGROUND System roads are the primary means of national forest access, however, they are also a source of many concerns. These concerns predominantly center on the negative environmental effects of roads including noise, erosion and subsequent sedimentation, transport of invasive species, poaching, and the reduction of non-motorized recreational opportunities available on National Forest. However, driving for pleasure is the major recreational use of National Forest. The presence of roads and their condition also relates to the social justice aspect of reasonable access to public lands by those with physical challenges. Road management to maintain existing levels, or to upgrade as needed based on use, is typically a challenge due to annual funding levels.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 47 Provide a transportation system that supplies the public, the Forest Service, and other authorized users with safe, environmentally sustainable, equitable, financially sound, and operationally effective access to roaded portions of the National Forest.

GOAL 48 Roads do not adversely affect soil and water resources.

OBJECTIVE 48.1 Complete condition surveys for those specified road segments that are within Forest Service jurisdiction and that are also within the riparian corridor. Prioritize those that are adversely affecting soil and water resources, and correct those situations in the following order of priority:

1. the approximately 20 miles in watersheds where federally-listed aquatic species occur on or within one stream mile of the lowest watershed occurrence of National Forestst ownership within three years of Plan implementation.

2. the approximately 10 miles in watersheds where federally-listed aquatic species occur within five stream miles of the lowest watershed occurrence of National Forest ownership within five years of Plan implementation.

3. the approximately 123 remaining miles within ten years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 48.2 Periodically maintain roads under Forest Service jurisdiction to maintenance level standards per the schedule below:

• 100 percent of maintenance level 5 roads annually • 50 percent of maintenance levels 3 and 4 roads annually • 25 percent of maintenance levels 1 and 2 roads annually

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GOAL 49 Close and restore unneeded roads and motorized trails. ACCESS/ROAD MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE 49.1 Over the first 15 years of Plan implementation close at least 50 percent of open roads and/or motorized vehicle trails unneeded for public access or to accomplish long-term forest management objectives.

GOAL 50 Resolve the jurisdiction of roads claimed by state or local government and not needed by the Forest Service, which are causing adverse environmental effects or are in conflict with management direction, and correct the problem.

STANDARDS FW-159 Use road closure or decommissioning projects as opportunities to enhance other resources; for example, wildlife, recreation, or fisheries.

FW-160 During active projects, all roads, ditches, and other improvements in the project area are kept free of logs, slash, and debris. Any road, ditch, or other improvement damaged by operations is promptly repaired.

FW-161 During construction of roads that cross a stream with aquatic T&E species within five stream miles downstream, each segment within 100 feet perpendicular to the stream on either side of a stream crossing will be constructed and stabilized prior to starting another segment.

FW-162 To minimize the length of streamside disturbance, ensure that road approach sections are aligned with the stream channel at or as near right angles as possible. Locate riparian corridor crossings to minimize the amount of fill material needed and minimize channel impacts.

FW-163 If culverts are removed, stream banks and channels must be restored to a natural size and shape. All disturbed soil must be stabilized. Stable stream crossings with a history of no adverse impacts will not be replaced un- necessarily.

FW-164 Hydrologists, fishery biologists, or soil scientists will be consulted prior to replacing culverts or improved fords; for example, concrete slabs, in order to address fish passage concerns and proper culvert sizing.

FW-165 All new major stream crossings for system roads will be constructed so that they do not adversely impact the passage of aquatic organisms, or significantly alter the natural flow regime. Exceptions may be allowed to prevent the upstream migration of undesired species.

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RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER

BACKGROUND On January 27, 2003, the USDI Fish & Wildlife Service approved the second revision of the Recovery Plan for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. This second revision incorporated the 1995 Forest Service Region 8 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Record of Decision (ROD) that previously provided management direction to National Forests in the Southern Region. The management direction in the Revised Recovery Plan represents the latest research and information regarding red-cockaded woodpecker population and habitat management. It provides guidance to all federal agencies and private landowners with red-cockaded woodpecker on their lands. The Oconee National Forest is identified as a secondary core population, meaning that it can hold 250 breeding pairs at the time of and following de-listing. This Forest Plan adopts and reproduces the appropriate text of the January 27, 2003 recovery plan direction. The intent is to maximize red-cockaded woodpecker opportunities within existing conditions and Forest Plan land allocation decisions.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 51 Contribute to the conservation and recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) until species viability is assured throughout its range and it is no longer listed as an endangered species under the endangered species act.

STANDARDS

FW-166 In the event of a substantive (required action) difference between this Plan and/or its amendments and the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service January 2003 RCW Recovery Plan and/or its amendments, the recovery plan takes precedence.

NOTE: See Management Prescriptions 8.D and 8.D.1 in Chapter 3 for specific goals, objectives, and standards relating to the red-cockaded woodpecker.

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MINERALS MINERALS

BACKGROUND Congress has passed various laws providing for the exploration and development of mineral resources on National Forest System lands. Federal mineral resources are divided into three categories: (1) locatable minerals, (2) leasable minerals, and (3) salable (common variety) minerals. Locatable mineral exploration and development is authorized by the 1872 Mining Law that applies to Public Domain status lands. This Forest has no Public Domain status lands, which means that the locatable mineral program does not apply. However, locatable minerals (e.g., gold silver lead, iron, copper, etc.) become leasable on acquired status lands. All the Federal lands in the state of Georgia have been acquired; that is, obtained from private sector ownership. Leasable minerals are managed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM is the federal agency that issues all mineral leases. Leasable minerals include the “locatable” minerals that occur on acquired status lands - the energy minerals (e.g., coal, oil, gas geothermal, oil shale) and phosphate, sodium and potassium. Salable minerals (e.g., sand, gravel, clay, stone, and rip-rap) are managed solely by the Forest Service on National Forest System lands.

Currently there are no active minerals leases on the Forest. The Forest issues about 50 permits annually for common variety mineral materials, such as gravel or fieldstone.

In the last five years, through legal procedures, the Forest obtained the surface mineral rights to approximately 130,000 acres located in 16 counties in Georgia through the Georgia Dormant Minerals Act. This Act allows the mineral rights to be obtained when the estate is split when the land is acquired and the owner of the minerals has not paid taxes nor worked the minerals in the previous seven years. The Federal government presently owns the rights to all minerals on about 98 percent of the Forest acreage. Mineral rights on the remaining 2 percent of the Forest acreage are privately owned (either reserved or outstanding minerals rights), and the owner has paid taxes on the mineral rights in the previous seven years. Outstanding mineral rights are property rights that were established and separated from the surface estate prior to the government’s acquisition of the estate. Reserved mineral rights are established when the Federal government purchases only the surface estate and the mineral estate remains with the seller. The Forest Service, as surface owner, cannot exclude entry by the mineral estate owner, either permanently or for an unreasonable amount of time. The mineral estate owner has the right to make such use of the surface as is reasonably necessary.

Since the 1830s, gold prospecting and mining has been part of the North Georgia experience. Today it is limited in scope to recreational status. This is true on the Chattahoochee NF where commercial mining activities occurred in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 52 Meet demands for energy and non-energy minerals consistent with Forest Plan management prescriptions, multiple-use objectives, and in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

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MINERALS GOAL 53 Acquire mineral rights that were reserved, but for which there has been no minerals activity; that is, the right has not been used.

STANDARDS

FW-167 Using a metal detector without ground disturbance to locate minerals is generally allowed unless a more stringent standard applies at the specific location. See related standards in the Recreation section.

FW-168 Collection of small amounts of surface mineral materials, such as in rockhounding, is allowed on the Forest, unless or until unacceptable resource damage occurs and provided that specimens are for personal noncommercial uses, neither hand nor power digging tools are used, collection does not conflict with existing mineral rights, and collection is not constrained by a more stringent standard at the specific location.

FW-169 Recreational gold panning is allowed on the Forest, provided that neither hand nor power digging tools are used; collection does not conflict with existing mineral rights; and collection is not prohibited elsewhere in the Plan.

FW-170 The right of development of private mineral rights will be recognized and allowed, subject to the terms of the deed of separation, appropriate state and federal laws, and Forest management direction.

FW-171 Lands staff will complete necessary environmental analyses in order to provide the BLM with a consent decision on mineral prospecting permit applications within 90 days and mineral lease applications within 180 days.

FW-172 For all BLM issued permits and leases, the mining and reclamation plan agreed to between the Forest and the miner will consider opportunities to enhance the desired future condition of the particular management area prescription.

FW-173 Common variety surface mineral materials authorizations will continue to be issued on a fee basis where appropriate on the Forest.

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SPECIAL SPECIAL USES USES

BACKGROUND Special uses serve a public need and benefit by providing for use and occupancy of National Forest land. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to permit special uses on National Forest System lands by various Acts.

There are numerous and varied special uses on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Some of these are communication sites, military uses, private water uses, private driveways, and utilities (water systems, power lines and gas pipelines). Some rights-of-way provide ingress and egress to private inholdings accessed only by crossing National Forest System land. As a designated urban national forest, the number and kinds of special use requests may be expected to increase in the future. Some of these may also be expected to be controversial.

Various types of recreation special uses are located on the Forest. Examples are: outfitter/guides, boat docks, target ranges, recreation residences and a shuttle service to Brasstown Bald.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 54 All designated and other utility corridors and designated communication sites will minimize environmental, social and visual impacts and ensure benefit to the public.

OBJECTIVE 54.1 Process energy-related leases, licenses and permits within 90 days of the date the applicable decision document is approved.

GOAL 55 Manage special uses consistent with protection of natural resource values, public health and safety, and cost effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE 55.1 Process each special use application through initial screening within 30 working days.

OBJECTIVE 55.2 Maintain current data on each special use in the Special Use Data System (SUDS) database or equivalent as of the end of each fiscal year.

OBJECTIVE 55.3 Maintain current annual or periodic inspections on each special use permit.

OBJECTIVE 55.4 Offset costs of environmental analysis for non- categorical exclusion special use projects by collecting funds from the proponent.

GOAL 56 Minimize the National Forest land area affected by special use permits and their conflicts with other National Forest values.

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SPECIAL STANDARDS USES FW-174 Special use proposals or applications will be screened to ensure that the proposed use is: (a) consistent with applicable laws, regulation, orders, and policies, (b) consistent with this Forest Plan, including any amendments, (c) in the public interest, and (d) consistent with other Forest direction.

FW-175 When a special use proposal meets screening criteria the application will be accepted.

FW-176 Before approving a special use permit, ensure that the applicant has given adequate consideration to reasonable alternative locations on private land.

FW-177 When a special use application is accepted, NEPA requirements will be met and a decision document will be completed and signed by the Forest Supervisor or other appropriate Deciding Official.

FW-178 The forest will maintain a list of special forest products for which collection permits can be issued. Except for scientific purposes, permits will be issued only for those items on the list. Individual collection permits may include further restrictions on the permit holder. Individual management prescriptions may prohibit collections.

FW-179 New communication tower installation and ridge-top recreational developments are designed to mitigate collision impacts to migratory birds through coordination of project planning and implementation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FW-180 New communications equipment will be co-located on existing towers or other structures where possible. Height of new towers shall not exceed 200 feet above ground level.

FW-181 In order to reduce the need for additional commitment of lands for communications facilities, new communications equipment will be located on existing sites whenever that will serve the need or the area intended. When new communication sites are proposed and recommended for approval by the Forest Supervisor, the site will be identified and designated through the communication site plan process and in accordance with land management planning policy, environmental analysis policy and special use policy direction.

FW-182 Communications towers no longer in use, or determined to be obsolete, will be removed.

FW-183 Co-locate new special uses requiring linear rights of way within existing corridors, such as utility and transportation corridors, when the purpose and need can be met. When this is not possible, widen existing corridors rather than create new within applicable restraints.

FW-184 The Forest will not issue any additional special use permits for individual water systems, and will phase out existing systems per established Forest water policy.

FW-185 Prior to re-authorizing existing individual well/spring permits, determine the in-stream flow or lake level needs sufficient to protect stream processes,

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aquatic and riparian habitats and communities, and recreation and SPECIAL aesthetic values. USES

FW-186 Prior to authorizing new or re-authorizing existing diversions of water from streams or lakes, determine the in-stream flow or lake level needs sufficient to protect stream processes, aquatic and riparian habitats and communities, and recreation and aesthetic values.

NOTE: Refer to standards on metal detecting in the Recreation and Heritage Resources sections of this chapter.

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FIRE MANAGEMENT FIRE MANAGEMENT

BACKGROUND Fire Management involves both fire suppression and proactively using fire to achieve set goals. In comments received from the public during the Plan scoping phase, fire was not identified as a major issue. Since planning began, however, research has been more active, and a greater understanding of fire both as a threat and as a tool has been achieved. The “Review and Update of the 1995 Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy” (2001) gives clear priority to the protection of health and safety of both the general public and firefighters. This prioritization offers guidance in establishing programs and projects involving the private sector of landowners and developers.

Fire effectively and efficiently reduces the level of hazardous fuels thus reducing risks and costs. Natural ignition of fire (i.e. by lightning strike) is not uncommon and is a valuable ecosystem dynamic within the planning area. Research results are varied, but historic human fire use is being increasingly seen as a crucial influence on our present forests. Fire was used historically to modify vegetation, and its use continued long enough to have an effect on species composition and arrangement. Conversely, vigorous fire suppression efforts beginning about 1920 have greatly affected the present forest. On the Chattahoochee-Oconee, the woody understory is typically dominated by shade tolerant and fire intolerant species.

Ecosystems differ in their ability to support fire. Plant species also vary in their response to fire, with some species benefiting and others not. Frequency and intensity – the fire regime - varies by ecosystem. Fire Condition Classes are used to characterize both general wildland fire risk and ecosystem condition. There are three fire condition classes:

• Condition Class 1 is characterized by: (a) fire regimes within or near an historical range, (b) low risk of losing key ecosystem components, (c) departure from historical frequencies by no more than one return interval, and (d) intact and functioning vegetation attributes (species composition and structure) within an historical range. • Condition Class 2 is characterized by: (a) fire regimes moderately altered from their historical range, (b) moderate risk of losing key ecosystem components, (c) departure (either increased or decreased) from historical frequencies by more than one return interval, and (d) moderate alteration from the historical range of vegetation attributes. • Condition Class 3 is characterized by: (a) fire regimes significantly altered from their historical range, (b) high risk of losing key ecosystem components, (c) departure from historical frequencies by multiple return intervals, and (d) significant alteration from the historical range of vegetation attributes.

Fire management will continue to develop during the life of this Plan at national, regional, and local levels. Fire as an ecosystem management tool will become more important.

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FIRE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES MANAGEMENT GOAL 57 Keep firefighter and public safety the highest priority in all fire management operations.

GOAL 58 Reduce the risks and consequences of wildfire through fuel treatments that restore and maintain conditions of fire regime Condition Class 1 to the extent practicable.

OBJECTIVE 58.1 Reduce extreme fire behavior characteristics and spotting distances by treating fuels to create a defensible space within designated wild land urban interface (WUI) zones.

OBJECTIVE 58.2 Locate and designate zones specific to wildland urban interface (WUI) fire management issues to allow for prioritization of projects and funding based on protection needs and potential.

OBJECTIVE 58.3 Prescribe burn a three-year rolling annual average of 30,000 acres each year on the Chattahoochee and Oconee combined to meet plan goals and objectives.

OBJECTIVE 58.4 Develop a Fire Use Program and a Forest Fire Management Action Plan using applicable national standards within five years of Plan implementation.

GOAL 59 Support local efforts to create solutions to hazardous fuel conditions, including development of tools or markets traditionally not cost effective.

GOAL 60 Determine values at risk and conduct fire management operations to minimize damage to resources.

GOAL 61 Expand the role of fire to recover and sustain short interval fire-adapted ecosystems through the use of both prescribed and managed ignition fires, including allowing lightning-caused fire to function, as much as possible, as a natural process; especially in Wilderness or other custodial management areas.

OBJECTIVE 61.1 Refine the critical values of the Keetch-Byram Drought Code (Cumulative Severity Index) for all major vegetation-soil-landform types on which prescribed fires are conducted and re-issue as an updated Forest supplement to the manual system within five years of Plan implementation.

GOAL 62 Participate in research and cooperative opportunities to increase the understanding of prescribed burning and smoke management constraints.

GOAL 63 Manage fire in wilderness to benefit the wilderness resource and in accordance with the approved Wilderness Management Plans.

GOAL 64 Implement the goals of the Federal Clean Air Act ( See also Air Quality Management.)

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FIRE OBJECTIVE 64.1 Emissions from prescribed fire will not MANAGEMENT disproportionately hinder State progress towards attaining air quality standards or visibility goals.

STANDARDS FW-187 Obtain approval from the Forest Supervisor for the limited use of mechanized equipment in management prescription areas where its use is normally prohibited.

FW-188 For herbaceous community maintenance, prescribed fire is not used more frequently than every three years, except when needed for habitat to support species viability or to control encroachment by woody species.

FW-189 Do not construct plowed firelines within savannahs, except when needed to protect facilities or threatened, endangered, proposed, or sensitive species.

FW-190 When prescribed burning other adjacent vegetation types using a combination of constructed fire control line and natural barriers, exclude areas of mesic deciduous forests lacking a significant oak component unless to do so would result in: (a) failure to meet other prescribed fire objectives, or (b) more than a 30-percent increase in plowed or bladed fireline construction per burn unit.

FW-191 When necessary to include basic mesic and mesic deciduous forests within burning blocks as part of burning other adjacent vegetation types, only low intensity fires are allowed, except when prescribed burns are designed to encourage oak regeneration in mesic oak forests.

FW-192 When prescribed burning other adjacent vegetation types using a combination of constructed fireline and natural barriers, exclude areas of basic mesic forests from prescribed burning blocks, where this can be accomplished without resulting in more than a 50 percent increase in plowed or bladed fireline construction.

FW-193 Areas are not prescribed burned for at least 30 days after herbicide treatment.

FW-194 In all fire operations, emphasize the use of naturally occurring barriers to fire spread to the maximum extent compatible with other goals, objectives, and standards; particularly riparian area standards.

FW-195 Locate and construct firelines to minimize mineral soil exposure in both suppression and prescribed fire operations consistent with fire danger, values at risk, operational efficiency, and applicable objectives. Compliance may include adjustments to fireline location even when the readjustment may impose into an area prescribed for less fire use.

FW-196 Firelines which expose mineral soil are not located in riparian corridors along lakes, perennial or intermittent springs and streams, wetlands, or water-source seeps, unless tying into them as natural barriers to fire spread at designated points with minimal soil disturbance. (See riparian standards for distances.)

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FW-197 Rehabilitation of wildfire control lines will be included as an objective of fire FIRE operational plans, will occur promptly after the burn, and will meet all other MANAGEMENT applicable standards of this Plan.

FW-198 Locate wildfire control lines to avoid impacts on known Heritage resources or T&E or sensitive species habitat, unless impacts to these areas are necessary for human safety. Document rationale for line location if these areas are impacted for safety reasons.

FW-199 Protect snags and cavity trees in prescribed fire operations where prescribed fire planning has identified a need for this mitigation.

FW-200 Forest Fire Management Plans will be updated annually.

FW-201 Prescribed fires in the riparian corridor will maintain high- and intermediate- canopy stream shade, except as needed to create or maintain canebrake communities. (See Riparian standards for distances.)

FW-202 Prescribed burning, other than slash burns, will be designed to retain litter and/or duff material on at least 85 percent of the project area, excluding firelines. Areas within which the post-burn survey identifies more than 15 percent exposed soils will be evaluated for re-vegetation to mitigate erosion effects.

FW-203 Slash burns are planned and conducted so that they do not consume all litter and duff and alter structure and color of mineral soil on more than 20 percent of the area. Steps taken to control soil heating may include use of backing fires on steep slopes, scattering slash piles, and burning heavy fuel pockets separately.

FW-204 In prescribed burning planning, use soils inventory data to identify severely eroded soils, locate any area with an average litter-duff depth of less than one-half inch within them and mitigate fire effects to maintain the litter and duff on these areas.

FW-205 To prevent erosion, water diversions will be installed on prescribed fire control lines during their construction. Refer to Georgia’s Best Management Practices for Forestry handbook for standards on spacing and construction.

FW-206 All prescribed burning projects will be conducted with full adherence to Forest Service internal guidance for air quality and the pollution control methodologies prescribed by air quality regulatory agencies.

FW-207 For prescribed burning projects planned within areas having a non- attainment or maintenance status regarding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS); the Forest Service will demonstrate in advance that it can complete those projects in conformity with the State Implementation Plan (SIP) provisions established to return the area to NAAQS attainment.

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS, INTERPRETATIVE SERVICES, AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, INTERPRETATIVE SERVICES, AND CONSERVATION CONSERVATION EDUCATION EDUCATION BACKGROUND Increasing public understanding of underlying issues is crucial to successful public policy, and environmental education is an investment to prevent costly environmental disasters and to promote sustainable use of natural resources. The guiding principle is that Conservation Education and Interpretation will be integrated as a component in all program areas around the theme of sustainability - specifically, sustaining forest health, biological diversity, ecological processes, recreation and cultural values. The primary audiences will be community leaders including teachers, multi-cultural youth in urban and rural areas and the visiting public. Outreach to urban populations is particularly applicable to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest as a designated Urban Forest. Critical success factors have been identified to measure the degree of progress toward goals and to ensure accountability.

Conservation Education and Environmental Education are terms that are often used interchangeably. Collectively, they are directed at creating awareness and understanding about environmental issues that lead to responsible individual and group actions. Conservation education is based on a recognition that the use and management of natural resources is necessary to support human needs but this must be done in a way and amount that sustains the ecosystems. Environmental education focuses on conservation of natural resources, providing facts about specific environmental issues or problems. Whichever term is used, delivery should use interpretive techniques and tools that capture interest and focus on the processes that enhance critical thinking, problem solving, and effective decision making skills.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 65 Contribute to public knowledge and understanding of land stewardship issues, strategies, and activities; especially biological conservation.

OBJECTIVE 65.1 Initiate and facilitate the cooperation of local resources in developing and implementing education relating to use and/or prevention of fire.

OBJECTIVE 65.2 Communicate what it takes to sustain healthy soil, water, air, and forest ecosystems.

OBJECTIVE 65.3 Work with under-served urban and rural publics, especially outside the proclamation boundary, to introduce nature and inform about National Forest programs and services.

GOAL 66 Increase urban and rural public awareness, knowledge, understanding, appreciation, and involvement (participation) in Forest Service resource management activities and challenges.

OBJECTIVE 66.1 Integrate a conservation education and interpretation component into key forest projects with a high potential for public education, as appropriate.

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS, GOAL 67 Be a respected, credible voice and opinion leader in natural resources INTERPRETATIVE issues and adaptive natural resource management strategies and tactics SERVICES, AND applicable to the national forest. CONSERVATION EDUCATION OBJECTIVE 67.1 Build and maintain working relationships with other Federal and State agencies with a conservation mission, public and private schools and universities, non-profit organizations and professional resource management and educational associations.

GOAL 68 Manage the conservation education and interpretive services programs to be cost-sensitive and avoid duplication with other providers whether in public or private sector.

GOAL 69 Use web technology effectively.

OBJECTIVE 69.1 Maintain a current master copy of the Plan with appendices and maps on the worldwide web.

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ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT

BACKGROUND The guiding management philosophy of the Forest Service is ecosystem management. It is a logical extension of the multiple use philosophy, but further refines it in several key ways. Ecosystem management focuses on the conditions we want as outcomes; that is, desired future conditions, rather than the activities and methods to achieve them. Healthy ecosystems are the overarching and unchanging desire, while tools and techniques may change over time.

Ecosystem management builds upon the multiple use philosophy in several key ways, among them:

• less attention to jurisdictional boundaries, • more attention to ecological units, • more attention to ecological dynamics, • more attention to partnership with nature rather than mastery of it, • considerations at several scales both above and below the scale of actions being taken, • an acceptance that we can’t know all the answers, but neither can we wait for them, • more attention on how we leave the land rather than what we take from it, • an acceptance that dividing humans from the ecology is infeasible, unnecessary, and self-defeating.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 70 Effectively and efficiently adapt management, based on sound science, to changing resource conditions, economic conditions, public objectives, and new law or policy.

OBJECTIVE 70.1 Compile and analyze historic data on stand-replacing ecological dynamics within 10 years of Plan implementation.

GOAL 71 Provide leadership and participation in collaborative natural resource management with other conservation agencies.

GOAL 72 Cooperate and coordinate in data collection and analysis efforts with, adjacent National Forests, the USFWS, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and other public or private entities such that data can be shared for larger scale assessments of habitats and populations across jurisdictional boundaries.

OBJECTIVE 72.1 Annually coordinate inventories, planning and management with adjacent Ranger Districts/Forests where overlap occurs.

GOAL 73 Conduct monitoring and evaluation, assessments, project mapping, secondary base map updates, GIS, and other data collection/entry of all resource areas within the context of the Forest Service ecological classification system (ECS).

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ECOSYSTEM GOAL 74 Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of local factors affecting MANAGEMENT the ecology as a primary basis for resource management decisions.

OBJECTIVE 74.1 Complete the final first draft of terrestrial ecological classifi-cation system unit delineations, mapping, and descriptions within six years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 74.2 Complete a first approximation of aquatic ecological classifi-cation system unit delineations, mapping, and descriptions within ten years of Plan implementation.

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STATE AND PRIVATE STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY FORESTRY The Forest Service is organized into three branches: the National Forest System, Research, and State and Private Forestry (S&PF). The S&PF team for Region 8 is headquartered in the Atlanta regional office. Its mission is the delivery of a variety of programs designed to promote and support resource management and conservation in rural and urban areas. Its method is to work cooperatively with a wide variety of partners.

The State and Private Forestry branch has four units: Cooperative Forestry, Fire and Aviation, Forest Health Protection, and State and Private Planning and Budget.

• Cooperative Forestry (CF) works in partnership with State Foresters and other key partners to connect Federal and State resources with more than 5 million private forest landowners and 7,000 rural and urban communities in the South. There are five major areas of work: Economic Action Program (EAP), Rural Forestry Assistance (RFA), Forest Legacy Program (FLP), Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF), and Natural Resources Conservation Education (NRCE). Each of these work areas has major programs. Each work area focuses on specific landowners, communities, or other clients.

• The Fire and Aviation (FA) unit works to: • advance technologies in emergency operations management, particularly fire suppression; • maintain and improve the extremely efficient mobilization and tracking systems in place; and • support Federal, State, and International fire partners.

The unit is responsible for the Southern Area Coordination Center (SACC), one of eleven centers of the national incident management system developed to coordinate and provide support in emergency situations. SACC, serves as the geographic focal point for interagency emergency response for the thirteen southern states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and supports a total of 348 units. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest hosts the Georgia Interagency Coordination Center that supports mobilization from any unit within Georgia.

• The Forest Health Protection (FHP) unit provides technical forest health assistance to the managers of forested lands in all ownerships throughout the Southern Region. (See the Forest Health topic.)

• The State and Private Planning and Budget (SPPB) unit works with partners in planning regional cooperative forestry programs and budgeting for them.

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STATE AND GOALS AND OBJECTIVES PRIVATE FORESTRY GOAL 75 Cooperate with other landowners in joint, mutually advantageous conservation efforts. Where possible, work with private landowners and conservation groups on lands adjacent to, or in proximity to, Forest Service ownership for the purposes of conservation efforts such as land acquisition, reintroduction of T&E species, restoration of plant and animal habitat, and demonstration of practices to better manage or enhance the resources.

OBJECTIVE 75.1 Proactively inform the public of programs and grant funds available for private sector participation in project development and implementation.

OBJECTIVE 75.2 Cooperatively assist and inform adjacent landowners of forestry management issues, especially forest health concerns.

GOAL 76 Encourage maintenance of forest as a land use on private lands within and surrounding national forests.

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HERITAGE RESOURCES HERITAGE RESOURCES

BACKGROUND Heritage resources is a broad term that refers to areas containing objects, buildings, structures, landscape alteration, and other remnants of past human behavior that provide clues to how humans used and adapted to the environment over time. The Heritage Resource Program provides a critical role in preserving our nation’s history by protecting significant heritage resources, sharing their values with the public, and contributing relevant information and perspectives to natural resource management.

The Heritage Resource Program represents heritage resource values in forestwide management planning, while providing a systematic program of resource inventory, evaluation, and preservation aimed at the identification, enhancement and protection of significant heritage resources.

Additional management direction for heritage resources can be found in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended (36 CFR 800); Archaeological Resource Protection Act (36 CFR 296); the Programmatic Agreement between the USDA Forest Service, Georgia State Historic Preservation Office and Advisory Council; the Memorandum of Understanding between the USDA Forest Service and the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office; Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (36 CFR 79); U.S. Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation; National Register of Historic Places (36 CFR 60); the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO); Executive Orders 11593 and 13007; the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1979 as amended; Forest Service Manual 2360; and the cultural overview for the Forests, “Past, Present and Future: Cultural Heritage Management on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia” (Wynn, Bruce, et al. 1994).

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 77 Significant heritage resource values are identified, enhanced, interpreted, and protected through a systematic program of heritage resource inventory, evaluation, and preservation along with coordination with the public, scientific community, ethnic groups, and interested federally-recognized tribal governments such that heritage resource management concerns are integrated into all plans and projects.

OBJECTIVE 77.1 Opportunities are provided for the public to observe or to participate in all phases of Forest Service heritage management.

• Provide one Passport in Time project, or similar opportunity for public participation, each year.

OBJECTIVE 77.2 Partnerships are developed with external organizations, groups, tribes, and individuals to encourage public service through heritage resource projects.

OBJECTIVE 77.3 Reduce the existing backlog of heritage sites needing formal evaluation and nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, so that the overall number decreases each year.

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OBJECTIVE 77.4 Cooperate with adjacent Forests, primary partners, and HERITAGE scientific communities in developing a framework for streamlined heritage RESOURCES site evaluations within eight years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 77.5 Refine and field-validate the GIS-based predictive model of heritage site occurrence probability and recreation impact risk within eight years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 77.6 Provide protection for all significant heritage sites that preserves the integrity of scientific data they contain, for the benefit of the public, tribal, and scientific communities. Cooperate with primary partners and scientific communities in preservation and interpretation of certain heritage resources to the public.

OBJECTIVE 77.7 Develop and maintain an accurate, secure geo-spatial electronic database with site and survey data within eight years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 77.8 Develop a preservation and maintenance plan for historic administrative and recreational facilities within the 15-year period of the Plan.

STANDARDS FW-208 Manage heritage resources in accordance with applicable federal laws, regulations, policy, agreements, and in the public interest. Emphasize the protection of significant heritage properties, completion of the forestwide inventory, and assessment of the significance of inventoried properties. Identify opportunities for appropriate use and interpretation of heritage properties.

FW-209 Tier all coordination and management relating to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR 800) to the Southern Regional Programmatic Agreement (PA) and MOU or other agreements between the Forest, and the primary partners: Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) and interested federally-recognized tribes. All provisions of the PA between the Southern Region of the Forest Service and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, SHPOs, THPOs and interested federally-recognized tribes of the Southern Region are incorporated by reference. The Forest Heritage Program serves as the Forest/SHPO/THPO/tribal point of contact.

FW-210 Use the Chattahoochee-Oconee predictive model to stratify survey intensity.

FW-211 Consult with Heritage specialists in the planning stages of projects involving ground disturbance, diminished jurisdiction, or increased public use of, or access to, an area.

FW-212 Responsible official will halt any project during ground disturbance activities if known or newly discovered heritage resources are encountered, regardless of whether the area has been previously disturbed, until the significance of the site has been determined by Forest heritage staff through coordination with consulting parties.

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HERITAGE FW-213 Ensure that Section 106 compliance clauses are inserted in all ground disturbing contracts and sales documents, and that clauses are discussed RESOURCES in pre-work conferences.

FW-214 Pursuant to 36 CFR 196.18, site locations are exempt from provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Do not disclose site locations in documents available to the public, including heritage GIS data, unless agreed to by all parties, including Native American tribes as appropriate.

FW-215 Heritage specialists will mark on the ground, properties designated through consultation as “protected.” Protected properties will include buffers determined on a case-by-case basis considering landform, vegetative cover, and access. In no case will protective buffers be less than 15 meters (50 feet) beyond known site limits. Stipulate protective measures in project plans for internal coordination.

FW-216 Use the Passport In Time or equivalent program to build co-operative and collaborative relationships with members of the public and organizations interested in archaeology and history.

FW-217 A special use permit is required for using a metal detector to locate archaeological or historical remains, but will be granted only for scientific research.

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RANGE RANGE (OCONEE ONLY) (OCONEE ONLY)

BACKGROUND Domestic animal grazing has been a historic use, not only on the Oconee National Forest, but on many national forests throughout the south and the western United States. This program is offered to local farmers whose pastures require rotation (rest from grazing) to allow winter grasses or other forage to grow or to make improvements to those pastures. The Oconee National Forest has 1,120 acres identified as permanent grazing allotments managed under Allotment Management Plans. These lands are maintained as permanent grass openings. A special use permit is issued for temporary grazing of cattle or horses.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 78 Apply ecosystem management techniques when maintaining existing range allotments. Emphasize conversion of these areas to native warm-season grasses and control of noxious weeds; that is, nonnative invasives.

GOAL 79 Phase out individual range allotments when there is no immediate demand for a particular allotment.

STANDARDS FW-218 Trampling by livestock may not expose mineral soil or displace soil on more than 10 percent of the area on any given allotment.

FW-219 Where livestock can reach a stream, their access will be controlled to maintain the integrity of stream channels and banks. Reauthorizing grazing in riparian corridors within these existing allotments may occur if continued grazing would be compatible with riparian management desired conditions and objectives.

FW-220 Where grazing is currently under a permit, control and mitigate to restore, enhance, or maintain the integrity of ephemeral streams. New grazing permits will be designed to minimize negative impacts to ephemeral zones to the maximum extent practicable. Livestock will be excluded from ephemeral zones whenever these zones cannot be maintained or restored without such exclusion.

FW-221 Where livestock entry points, crossings, and watering points are permitted (i.e., authorized under special-use permit) and have been designated, they will be armored to maintain stream bank stability. They will also be located, sized and maintained to minimize the impact to riparian vegetation and function.

FW-222 Feeding troughs, watering troughs, and salt and mineral blocks are not allowed inside the riparian corridor unless the entire pasture is within the riparian corridor, in which case they will be located as far away from streams as possible. Watering troughs will be appropriately located to protect the streams.

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RANGE FW-223 Feeding troughs, watering troughs, and salt and mineral blocks are not (OCONEE allowed inside the ephemeral stream zone.

ONLY) FW-224 On the Oconee, when managing for range forage species, wildlife and livestock use should not exceed 50 percent of current annual growth of key grass species, 20 percent of total annual production of key forb species, and 20 percent of current annual growth of key shrub species.

NOTE: Refer also to direction in Chapter 3, MRx 11, Riparian Corridors.

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INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE

BACKGROUND Infrastructure is the term for all human-constructed facilities and features. Technically roads are included in infrastructure, but they are addressed as a separate topic in this Plan. Infrastructure is critical to the delivery of National Forest goods and services. Many of the facilities are cultural resources in their own right, and date to the CCC days or even earlier.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 80 Maintain structures in a safe, serviceable, and attractive condition suitable for the intended use.

OBJECTIVE 80.1 Periodically inspect all National Forest improvements, including buildings, dams, boat ramps, viewing platforms, wetland boardwalks, etc.

STANDARDS FW-225 Proposed or new facilities must be developed in accordance with Executive Orders 11988 (for 100-year floodplains). Alternative locations must be considered for all new facilities. Where none exist, potential impacts must be minimized or mitigated to moderate the severity of those impacts.

FW-226 Use materials, design, and finishes that are compatible with the scenic integrity objective.

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LANDS LANDS

BACKGROUND The lands program area includes: (1) acquisition, exchange, and transfer of National Forest land; (2) acquiring, granting, and exchanging rights-of-way; (3) locating and maintaining property boundary lines; (4) resolving land claims and encroachments; (5) determining the suitability of available lands for satisfying the National Forest mission, as well as following the Land Ownership Adjustment Plan; and (6) maintaining lands records, including the status of minerals reservations. These activities are the foundation of providing a national forest available to all.

Almost all of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest was, and still is, acquired under the Weeks Law of 1911 or related acts rather than from the public domain as forests in the West were. Many of the tracts acquired were small and intermingled with private ownership. Because of the resulting fragmentation of ownership between the Forest Service and private citizens, activities such as location and maintenance of landlines, administration of rights-of-way, and resolution of boundary encroachments and claims are much more frequent, difficult and expensive. Consolidation of land ownership improves management in several ways:

• facilitates property line maintenance, • reduces encroachments and claims, • decreases need for rights-of-way, • reduces number of special use applications and administration of permits, • protects properties in Wilderness, Wild and Scenic River corridors, scenic areas, riparian ecosystems, special floral or faunal communities, habitat for PETS, etc.

During the period 1993 through 2003, approximately 1,000 net acres were added to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests as a result of land exchanges, purchases, donations, and asset forfeiture.

As a designated Urban Forest, the lands program of the Chattahoochee-Oconee is important and dynamic. Several metropolitan areas are near the Forests. Land values and population continue to rise. Many people like the amenities of living adjacent to national forest and preferentially locate there. And many of them are unaware of Forest Service management requirements. Conflicts occur between adjacent landowners and visitors. It is becoming more difficult to obtain easements to access National Forest, regardless of the purpose. Special use applications for communications, utilities, and access are numerous. This situation is expected to continue into the future.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 81 Maintain a proactive program of land acquisition through exchanges and purchases. Land will be acquired primarily to meet resource management needs while following the Land Ownership Adjustment Plan with an overall goal of consolidation.

OBJECTIVE 81.1 The ownership status of National Forest lands will be maintained annually in the GIS database.

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OBJECTIVE 81.2 Forest Plan land allocation status will be maintained LANDS annually in the GIS database in conjunction with the ownership status.

OBJECTIVE 81.3 Obtain 50 percent of available in-holdings on the Forest within 15 years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 81.4 Acquire all known needed rights-of-way within 15 years of Plan implementation.

OBJECTIVE 81.5 Acquire additional lands along rivers to facilitate nature-based recreational uses, as well as to provide habitat for aquatic biota with an emphasis for aquatic T&E species or for the reintroduction of native species.

GOAL 82 Divest those properties through land exchange that are isolated, impacted by urban influence, and generally not conducive to National Forest management and therefore more suitable in private ownership.

GOAL 83 Inadvertent trespass onto National Forest does not occur.

OBJECTIVE 83.1 Property lines will be surveyed and marked to Forest Service standard and maintained on a 10-year rotation.

GOAL 84 Resolve all known title claims and encroachments affecting National Forest System lands.

OBJECTIVE 84.1 Title claims and encroachments affecting National Forest System lands are to be documented, prioritized for resolution each fiscal year, and resolved within the constraints of the applicable authority.

GOAL 85 Acquire or exchange accesses with other agencies, counties, and private interests to ensure management objectives are met for all ownerships.

GOAL 86 Identify opportunities to work with other agencies and organizations to participate in mitigation banking activities.

STANDARDS FW-227 The following priorities will be considered for lands acquisitions and retention of existing National Forest System lands :

• Lands needed for the protection of Federally-listed endangered or threatened wildlife, fish or plant species and their habitat • Environmentally sensitive lands such as rare communities, wetlands, and existing old growth • Lands needed for protection of significant historical or cultural resources • Lands within, or adjacent to, Congressionally-designated wilderness, proposed wilderness study areas, national recreation areas, wild and scenic river corridors, and scenic areas • Lands needed for protection of viewsheds from the Appalachian Trail • Lands needed to protect riparian ecosystems and associated coldwater fisheries • Lands that increase access for recreational opportunities, both developed and dispersed, and protect aesthetic scenery values

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LANDS • Lands needed for administrative sites (for example, research natural areas or botanical areas) • Lands permitting consolidation for more efficient management • Lands with high productive potential.

FW-228 Land conveyances will be guided by the following criteria: • Lands inside or adjacent to communities or intensively developed private land and more valuable for non-National Forest System purposes • Tracts that will serve a greater public need in state, county, city, or other Federal agency ownership • Inaccessible parcels isolated from other National Forest System lands • Parcels having boundaries or portions of boundaries with inefficient configurations (projecting necks or long, narrow strips of land, portions of land lots, etc.) and that support more logical and efficient management in private ownership.

FW-229 Management of newly acquired lands On newly acquired lands:

1. Promptly mitigate existing adverse environmental impacts using activities that do not require a plan amendment or allocation.

2. To determine whether a Plan allocation decision is needed, consider the following questions: a) Are acquired lands within a single management prescription?

b) Considering all potential prescriptions, would management within the current prescription avoid disqualifying the tract, in context with surrounding NF lands, from allocation to any other management prescription? (For example, we might acquire 200 acres that creates a block of Forest Service ownership that meets the size requirement and could now qualify for Roadless status. The prescription of the surrounding area may permit construction of a new road under certain conditions, but if we did that, we would preclude roadless status for the entire block.)

c) Would the addition of the acquired tract to that management prescription best meet identified priority land acquisition purposes?

If the answer to all three is ‘yes,’ a plan allocation decision is not required. Document the consideration of each of these questions, and manage with the prescription within which the newly acquired land occurs.

If the answer to (a), (b), or (c) is ‘no,’ conduct an environmental analysis and prepare the appropriate decision documentation/Plan amendment for that decision. In the meantime, manage the newly acquired land according to the proposed new allocation.

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AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND The Clean Air Act (CAA) is a major part of the regulatory framework that drives Forest Service participation in air quality management within or outside the Forest. The CAA created National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which established regulatory minimums for air quality, and it created a program for prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) of air quality in areas where good air quality (not falling below the NAAQS minimums) still existed. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) lead these programs, roles have been identified for industry, commerce, land managers, other levels of government and the public. The GA EPD is responsible for administering the state implementation plan (SIP). One objective of the SIP is to regulate atmospheric emissions from many industrial, commercial, land use and other activities.

Areas known (or assumed) to be attaining NAAQS are allocated to one of three PSD “classes.” These classes identify the level of effort that must be expended to maintain good air quality where it already exists. Class I areas (certain wilderness areas and national parks designated by Congress) can receive only small amounts of additional pollution. Class II areas can receive moderate increments of additional air pollution, as long as neither a NAAQS violation nor a significant deterioration of resources is anticipated. Except for the 156 Congressionally-designated Class I areas, all of the United States is designated as Class II (meaning NAAQS are attained). The Cohutta Wilderness area is currently the only area on the Chattahoochee-Oconee classified as Air Quality Class I. The remainder of the Forest is in attainment and designated Class II

Forest Service participation will focus on controlling air pollution impacts on resources throughout the National Forests and on regulation of pollutants that may be generated by land management activities. While the Forest Service cannot unilaterally guarantee the quality of air (generally, or at a specific point) within an airshed, it does ensure that its management activities will be conducted with full adherence to pollution control methodologies and technologies prescribed by air quality regulatory agencies.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES GOAL 87 Implement the goals of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) along with the goals of other federal legislation aimed at protection and management of the National Forests. The CAA has goals for protection and improvement of: air quality throughout the National Forest (plus surrounding lands) and, the air quality related values (AQRVs) established for the Cohutta Wilderness (a Class I area). ( See also Fire Management.)

OBJECTIVE 87.1 Review applications to State air regulatory agencies for major new emissions within 100 kilometers (62 miles) of the Cohutta Wilderness to see if there may be significant impacts on its air quality related values (AQRVs).

OBJECTIVE 87.2 Work with state air regulatory agencies and regional planning organizations to reduce visibility impairment at the Cohutta Wilderness Class I area.

OBJECTIVE 87.3 Participate in the SIP implementation process by annually reviewing the status of counties near the Forest, including

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AIR QUALITY neighboring states, regarding their attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Where a non-attainment area is formally MANAGEMENT recognized by GA EPD, participate in SIP modification to bring the area back into attainment status.

STANDARDS FW-230 All activities will meet the requirements of applicable regulations established in pursuit of state or federal air quality goals. While the Forest Service cannot unilaterally guarantee the quality of air (generally, or at a specific point) within an airshed, it does ensure that its management activities will be conducted with full adherence to pollution control methodologies and technologies prescribed by air quality regulatory agencies.

FW-231 In leases and other agreements that permit other parties to use Forest land or resources, the Forest Service will require the permittee to meet the requirements of all applicable regulations established in pursuit of state or federal air quality goals.

FW-232 The Forest Service will assess relevant aspects of air quality within the Forest, either through its own efforts, in cooperation with other agencies, or by review of the results of other agency monitoring in/near the Forest.

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CHAPTER 3 MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS CHAPTER 3 INTRODUCTION

PRESCRIPTION MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTIONS FORMAT

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 3 defines management prescriptions (MRx) to be applied for various types of areas on the forests. Management prescriptions include desired conditions, standards, and goals that are specific to each forest type. Forestwide goals, objectives, and standards are defined in Chapter 2, Forestwide Direction.

The lands assigned to the various prescriptions have different attributes that require a slightly different management emphasis. These differences are reflected in the management prescriptions applied to each area. Management prescriptions related to one another are grouped in “categories,” numbered 0 through 12. The numbering system and emphasis of each management prescription is consistent across the national forests of the southern Appalachians. This chapter only includes management prescriptions used in the Revised Forest Plan; therefore, there are gaps in the numbering sequence. A complete list of management prescriptions used throughout the southern Appalachians, along with their related emphasis, is available in the planning process record files.

PRESCRIPTION FORMAT Each management prescription includes: Number and Name of the Prescription – tells the primary focus of management. Emphasis – briefly describes the focus and general management direction for the area. Desired Condition - shows opportunities and/or conditions available in the future for all the multiple uses and resources found throughout the prescription area. Goals – statement of a condition desired to be created or maintained for the future. Goals occur in some prescriptions, but not all. Objectives – measurable activities designed to achieve one or more goals, which may be forestwide or specific to the prescription. Standards - management direction that applies to a particular area or activity.

There is high degree of consistency in prescription names and numbers among the five Southern Appalachian Forests but they are not identical. For example, the 3.C. MRx is a “National Scenic Area.” The Chattoohoochee-Oconee NF has only one such area, so the name becomes “Coosa Bald National Scenic Area.”

Management prescription emphasis statements describe the primary resource emphasis on a landscape more specific than the forest as a whole. Provisions are made for various resources at differing levels. Emphasis statements are similar to goal statements in tone and function.

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PRESCRIPTION Each desired condition section includes a description of the landscape alterations, forest FORMAT appearance, associated wildlife, and possible human experiences and interactions. The desired condition is a word picture of resources, conditions and types of activities as if all USE OF GIS applicable goals and objectives have been met. The desired condition is not a description of what existed on the area at the time the management prescription was written. MANAGEMENT Statements within these sections are not objectives or standards, even though they have PRESCRIPTION similar ideas and may use similar words. ALLOCATIONS Goal statements, if they occur, have a narrower focus than the complementary forestwide goal statement. For example, a forestwide recreation goal covers the entire range of recreation opportunities offered on the Forest. But a Wilderness recreation goal within the Designated or Recommended Wilderness would refer to only the narrow segment of primitive or semi-primitive recreation appropriate to that prescription.

Standards, like the forestwide standards, are mandatory compliance requirements. They may be a new standard not referred to in the forestwide set. More often they are a greater constraint of a similar forestwide standard. For example, a forestwide standard may say OHV use is confined to trails only. But an individual management prescription standard may say no OHV trails will occur within that prescription area. The combination of forestwide standards and management prescription standards provide the overall direction for a specific landscape.

USE OF GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM There are two possible sources for National Forest System lands acreage figures. One is the Lands staff records with acreages generated from deeds and land surveys. These are the 'official' acres for legal purposes. The other is digitized Geographic Information System (GIS) data, maintained as data 'layers.' Two important layers we used extensively are the 'surface ownership,' a digitized coverage of National Forest lands, and a 'stands' layer of vegetation community polygons. As these and other data layers are related through the GIS, the correlation is typically less than perfect, resulting in 'slivers' where lines are not strictly coincident. Depending upon the importance of stronger correlation, extensive work went into minimizing this 'sliver' challenge. Two examples were 'cutting' stand polygons to be coincident with designated Wild and Scenic River boundaries and with inventoried roadless area boundaries. But an absolute match between GIS and Lands acreages would have been very labor intensive, and was not necessary. The GIS data and the Lands data were correlated to a much less than 1 percent difference in the total acres of each of the Chattahoochee and Oconee as of September 2003. Unless otherwise identified, acreage figures used throughout this document were generated from GIS data. In most cases, the acreage figures represent a summation from individual stand polygons. Our intention was to attribute every table with the data source to avoid confusion.

MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION ALLOCATIONS The remainder of this chapter comprises a listing of the management prescriptions applied to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Table 3- 1 shows the total acres allocated to each MRx. The riparian management prescription (MRx 11) is ‘embedded’ within each of the other management prescriptions; it does not stand alone, and has no allocated acres. The riparian prescription must be considered whenever any of the other management prescriptions are to be implemented at the project/site specific level. The acreage devoted to individual communication sites (MRx 5.A) is very small, and in some cases is included with administrative sites.

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Table 3- 1. Management Prescription Acreage Chattahoochee MRx MRx Title Oconee Acres Total Acres Acres 0.B Custodial Management - Small, Isolated Land Areas (to be 1,929 142 2,071 disposed of or exchanged) 1.A Designated Wilderness Areas 117,436 0 117,436 1.B Recommended Wilderness 8,094 0 8,094 Study Areas 2.A.1 Designated Wild River 5,998 0 5,998 Segments 2.A.2 Designated Scenic River 468 0 468 Segments 2.A.3 Designated Recreational River 1,551 0 1,551 Segments 2.B.1 Recommended Wild River 2,120 0 2,570 Segments 2.B.2 Recommended Scenic River 524 4,854 5,378 Segments 2.B.3 Recommended Recreational 423 0 423 River Segments 3.A National Scenic Area 7,122 0 7,122 3.B Experimental Forests 0 9,364 9,597 3.C National Recreation Areas 23,660 0 23,647 3.D Proposed National 2,029 0 2,030 Recreational Areas 4.A Appalachian National Scenic 16,655 0 16,868 Trail Corridor 4.B.1 Murder Creek Research 0 1,005 1,005 Natural Area 4.D Botanical - Zoological Areas 3,363 1,215 4,578 4.E.1 Cultural/Heritage Areas 191 111 302 4.F Scenic Areas 18,129 0 21,125 4.F.1 Scenic and Wildlife 18,426 0 19,876 Management Areas 4.F.2 Regional Forester Designated 4,797 0 4,725 Scenic Areas (Pre-1985) 4.H Forest-Designated Outstandingly Remarkable 17,868 4,730 22,598 Streams 4.I Natural Areas - Few Open 17,943 0 17,903 Roads 5.A Administrative Sites 163 102 265 5.B Communication Sites 48 0 48 5.D Military-Use Areas (Camp 144 0 144 Merrill) 6.B Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old-Growth 28,059 1,617 29,676 Characteristics Table continued next page

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 3-3 CHAPTER 3 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

Chattahoochee MANAGEMENT MRx MRx Title Oconee Acres Total Acres PRESCRIPTION Acres ALLOCATIONS 6.D Core Areas of Old-Growth Surrounded by Areas with 598 0 598 Extended Forest Rotations 7.A Scenic Byway Corridor 12,431 0 2,037 7.B Scenic Corridors and Sensitive 16,586 0 16,992 Viewsheds 7.E.1 Dispersed Recreation Areas 74,277 985 75,262 7.E.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas 22,455 8,383 30,838 with Vegetation Management 8.A.1 Mix of Successional Forest 68,323 0 68,323 Habitats 8.A.2 Forest Interior, Mid- to Late- 23,693 0 26,730 Successional Forest Habitats 8.D Red-cockaded Woodpecker 0 31,438 31,412 Habitat 8.D.1 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Sub-habitat Management 0 15,670 15,848 Areas 8.E.3 High-Elevation, Early- 6,604 0 6,875 Successional Habitat 9.A.1 Source Water Protection 9,325 0 10,127 Watersheds 9.A.3 Watershed Restoration Areas 17,854 0 17,767 9.F Rare Communities 505 593 1098 9.H Management, Maintenance, and Restoration of Plant 172,718 35,006 207,724 Associations to Their Ecological Potential 11 Riparian Corridors N/A N/A N/A 12.A Remote Backcountry 28,261 28,256 0 Recreation - Few Open Roads Totals 750,770 115,215 865,985

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0.B 0.B CUSTODIAL MANAGEMENT - SMALL, ISOLATED CUSTODIAL LAND AREAS MANAGEMENT

EMPHASIS These areas would be managed at a minimum level prior to disposal or land exchange. No expenditures would be involved except those required by law or to protect human health or safety. No resource would be emphasized.

DESIRED CONDITION These areas would be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests, with little to no human-caused forest openings. Small gaps and occasional large openings of early- successcional forest habitat may be created through natural disturbances.

Natural processes would periodically remove the canopy and result in large and small areas of young and small trees. The average area affected would be about 2 to 3 percent per decade of all the land area managed under a minimum level. The range of canopy breaks includes the common occurrence of small gaps created by individual tree mortality, to frequent insect- or disease-killed groups up to approximately one hundred acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas up to several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

The landscape character is natural appearing, moving toward natural evolving with natural processes as the only agents of change. Natural change is assumed to be visually acceptable and no active management is directed at moderating visual contrasts. Evidence of human intervention in the landscape is very limited, and would be unseen by most visitors.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be maintained. In some cases, existing openings may be obliterated through tree planting and elimination of nonnative species. New permanent wildlife openings are not created. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. System road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

These areas are generally surrounded by private lands and not accessible by the general public. There are no developed or dispersed recreation opportunities. The landscape character would be natural appearing. No habitat associations are emphasized. No visitor information is provided to create any specific expectation of amenities. Signs are very limited. Visitors are expected to be rather skilled in the outdoors, self-reliant and well prepared. No monitoring of visitor satisfaction or expectation occurs.

There are no wildlife habitat objectives for this prescription. Wildlife habitats are characterized by nearly unbroken tree canopy and old forest. Canopy removal occurs by natural events on about 2 to 3 percent of area per decade. Forest succession, as a result of natural changes, is gradually moving composition toward species such as white pine, hemlock, beech, rhododendron, mountain laurel, red maple, sourwood, and blackgum. Large downed woody material, standing snags, and tree cavities are on a trend of increase. High-quality early-successional habitat rarely occurs, and then usually as a result of a combination of tree mortality followed by wildfire.

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0.B Streams and water bodies are not managed except in cases where aquatic systems need CUSTODIAL protection or restoration. Examples include an invasion of a nonnative aquatic organism MANAGEMENT or natural events such as floods, tree mortality, blow-down, or mass soil failures that block channels. Streams or water bodies are not regularly inventoried or monitored, unless needed on a sample basis to improve the characterization of larger scale conditions or trends, or if a known T&E species occurs.

Surveys to find PETS species are not conducted except in response to a report of occurrence or project proposals such as land exchange. Once discovered, locations of T&E species populations are geo-referenced as a point and monitored. Data collected is very basic, and monitoring may not occur annually. (Land with PETS species is kept in National Forest ownership, therefore the discovery of PETS may cause the area to change to a different MRx.) Management actions are taken only if needed to protect the continued existence of known T&E populations and only with USFWS concurrence. Where active management is used, informally documented monitoring and reporting of response is done. Management generally does not occur for either Proposed or Sensitive species. Visitor controls are not used.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 0.B-001 Land expenditures are allowed in order to dispose of isolated tracts of land.

0.B-002 New utility corridor or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 0.B-003 Timing, controlled use, and no-surface occupancy stipulations will be used on an as-needed basis. Mineral material authorizations for local, State, and other Federal agencies are permitted for public health, safety, and emergencies. Commercial use of mineral materials is permitted, provided that fees for these uses are adequate to recover administration costs.

Vegetation and Forest Health 0.B-004 In general, investments in forest health will not be made. However, insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled where threatened, endangered, proposed, sensitive, or locally rare species and their habitats may be adversely impacted; to prevent damage to resources on adjacent land; or where needed for safety or legal reasons.

0.B-005 Biological control methods, where available and effective, are the preferred methods for management.

0.B-006 Eradication of newly discovered nonnative pests may be considered.

0.B-007 Biological control of nonnative pests through the release of natural enemies may be considered.

0.B-008 Salvage timber may be removed after catastrophe if needed for safety or legal reasons. Actions need to be consistent with Forest Service policy, Gypsy Moth EIS, and SPB EIS.

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Fire Management 0.B CUSTODIAL 0.B-009 Prescribed fire will not be used as a management tool. MANAGEMENT

0.B-010 Wildfires will always be suppressed.

Recreation 0.B-011 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) Settings would be SPNM, RN2, and RN1.

0.B-012 These areas would be closed to OHV use.

Scenery 0.B-013 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which may vary by inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH VH VH VH VH H H Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 0.B-014 Road construction is prohibited, subject to valid existing rights or leases. Decommission roads that are not needed and are adversely affecting surrounding resource values and conditions.

Timber Management 0.B-015 These lands are classified as unsuitable for timber production, not appropriate, under the NFMA; however, salvage sales, sales to protect other multiple use values, or activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

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1.A DESIGNATED 1.A DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREAS WILDERNESS AREAS The Congressionally-designated wilderness areas on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests and their GIS acreage at the time of publication of this Plan are listed below. All these areas are on the Chattahoochee NF.

Designated Wilderness Area Acres Big Frog 83 Cohutta 35,233 Ellicott Rock 2,073 Southern Nantahala 12,949 Raven Cliffs 9,113 Brasstown 12,949 Tray Mountain 10,414 Rich Mountain 10,343 Blood Mountain 7,800 Mark Trail 16,880

EMPHASIS Allow ecological and biological processes to progress naturally with little to no human influence or intervention. Minimum impacts made by those who seek the wilderness as a special place offering opportunities to experience solitude and risk in as primitive surroundings as possible may occur.

DESIRED CONDITION The natural evolving landscape character in wilderness expresses the natural evolution of biophysical features and processes with very limited human intervention. The forest cover is primarily older forests with a continuous canopy, except for occasional gaps created by natural occurrences such as storms, insect or disease outbreak, and fire. Vegetation management is limited to trail clearing with hand tools. Natural ignition fires are permitted to play a natural role when weather, terrain, and external values at risk permit. Management of the area is focused on protecting and preserving the natural environment, natural processes, and heritage properties from human influences. Soil and water restorations in the form of rerouting trails or preventing camping along streams are encouraged. Recreation management is designed to provide solitude and remoteness in the most primitive and natural recreation setting possible. As Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) management findings occur for each designated wilderness, those standards will be adopted and monitored for compliance.

These areas would be characterized by 88 to 96 percent of the forest cover being mid- successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests, with little to no human- caused forest openings. Of this amount, mid-successional forest occurs on approximately 8 percent. Old-growth forest communities would increase over the decades, except where significant natural disturbances occur. Natural processes such as ice storms or windstorms, insects, diseases, and lightening fires are the primary influences to vegetation. These processes would periodically remove the canopy and result in large and small areas of young and small trees. The average aggregate area affected would be

3-8 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 about 2 to 3 percent per decade. The range of canopy breaks includes the common 1.A occurrence of small gaps created by individual tree mortality, to frequent insect or DESIGNATED disease-killed groups up to approximately one hundred acres, and infrequent large WILDERNESS contiguous areas up to several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire. AREAS

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife are not maintained, but are allowed to succeed to forest. New permanent wildlife openings are not created.

These areas have a Scenic Integrity Objective of Very High, which generally provides for ecological change only. Natural change is assumed to be visually acceptable and no active management is directed at moderating visual contrasts. Evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is minimal and would normally be overlooked by most visitors. Human-caused change may be specifically mitigated to be made less obvious.

Wilderness has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation. Areas are managed for Primitive ROS except for those areas that have LAC management direction, even if the area does not meet inventory criteria. The recreation use emphasis is on dispersed activities such as hunting, fishing, or hiking, but localized and limited development that facilitates those uses may be located adjacent to the area. Wilderness may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historic value.

Most visitor information is dispensed outside of the wilderness at trailheads and through off-site public information and education efforts. Wilderness visitors are encouraged to “pack-it-in and pack-it-out” and to “leave no trace.” Signs are very limited. Visitors are expected to be rather skilled in the outdoors, self-reliant and well prepared. Visitors’ expectations and satisfaction will be monitored. Search and rescue or recovery is not readily available and motorized operations are constrained by decisions made by appropriate authority level.

Few facilities are provided. Permanent, human-made shelters are present if they existed prior to wilderness designation, particularly along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Construction of new shelters and primitive privies at new locations within wilderness is not allowed unless there is a need to protect natural resources from impacts of human visitors. Structures such as signs or bridges for the comfort or convenience of visitors in wilderness are minimal or may not exist. The information structures appearing in wilderness are generally for the protection of resources, visitors, or where present prior to wilderness designation. Forest designated trails in wilderness lie lightly on the land (typically narrow footpaths or horse trails) and have directional signing that blends with natural surroundings. Access to the area is limited. Only exterior boundary roads occur. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Trailheads at surrounding roads are designed with sensitivity to scale and character to set the tone for experiencing a primitive recreation experience.

Travel and recreation within wilderness is strictly non-motorized. Although open roads may serve as boundaries to the area, its interior includes no open roads. Human access is by non-motorized means only.

Facilities are typically trails. Structures are rare. Existing facilities are maintained in serviceable condition with the emphasis on resource protection. They are not improved beyond their original design. In these areas, no new facilities are provided. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is located within the Blood Mountain, Tray Mountain, Raven Cliffs, Mark Trail, and Southern Nantahala wildernesses. Wilderness management takes precedance over A.T. MRx 4.A., but is sensitive to its standards and emphasis. Refer to the 4.A. standards.

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1.A There are no wildlife habitat objectives for this prescription. Wildlife habitats are DESIGNATED characterized by nearly unbroken tree canopy and old forest. Canopy removal occurs by WILDERNESS natural events on about 2 to 3 percent of area per decade. Forest succession as a result AREAS of natural changes is gradually moving composition toward more tolerant species such as white pine, hemlock, beech, rhododendron, mountain laurel, red maple, sourwood, and blackgum. Large downed woody material, standing snags, and tree cavities are on a trend of increase. High-quality early-successional habitat rarely occurs and then usually as a result of a combination of tree mortality followed by wildfire.

Wilderness serves as a baseline or reference condition for natural ecological change as compared to ecosystems more recently modified by human use. Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Streams are periodically inventoried and monitored as needed to establish baseline or reference conditions or to monitor known T&E species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Research involving little or no specimen collection occurs on a special project basis. Minimal management to maintain habitat of known populations of T&E may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the forest.

Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring monitoring and protection. Priority of heritage resource inventory areas within thewilderness will focus on areas of popular use such as trails and campsites, probability of containing significant heritage resources, and known heritage resources. Future heritage resource management will be determined during the development of wilderness plans.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 1.A-001 Private lands within and adjacent to wilderness will be high priority for acquisition when such acquisition would improve the manageability of the wilderness.

1.A-002 Private land trusts adjacent to wilderness boundaries will be encouraged.

1.A-003 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas.

1.A-004 Other special uses such as outfitter/guide permits, may be authorized, if consistent and compatible with the goals and objectives of these areas.

Minerals and Geology 1.A-005 Federal mineral leases and mineral material authorizations would not be allowed, unless provided for in the designating legislation.

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1.A 1.A-006 Information gathering activities that involve only very minor surface DESIGNATED disturbance and are compatible with the wilderness environment are WILDERNESS permissible by permit from the Forest Supervisor. AREAS 1.A-007 Private mineral rights underneath National Forest surface ownership will be a priority for acquisition through exchange or donation

Vegetation and Forest Health 1.A-008 Native insect and diseases are not controlled, unless epidemics are expected to cause unacceptable damage to adjacent lands and resources and then only after appropriate approvals per the agencies implementing regulations of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and applicable amendments.

1.A-009 Nonnative invasive pests are controlled, if expected to cause an unnatural loss to the wilderness resource.

1.A-010 Noxious weeds may be eradicated by physical means such as grubbing when the infestations are isolated, and hand-applied chemicals may be used when absolutely necessary.

1.A-011 Apply the current Minimum Requirement Decision Guide to wilderness management activities.

Fire Management 1.A-012 Use suppression methods with the least detriment to wilderness, unless the fire is threatening public safety within the wilderness or resources and property outside the wilderness.

1.A-013 Management-ignited prescribed fire can be used in wilderness only as provided for in FSM 2324.2.

1.A-014 Natural ignition fires may be managed in wilderness to allow fires to play, as nearly as possible, their natural ecological role, as long as the applicable documentation has been prepared and approved.

1.A-015 Emphasize Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST) when suppressing wildfires in wilderness.

1.A-016 Use of motorized equipment in Wilderness will comply with FSM 2326. Regional Forester approval is required for the use of tractors in fire suppression. The Forest Supervisor may approve the use of limited mechanized equipment in Wilderness in instances of ‘inescapable urgency and temporary need for speed beyond that available by primitive means.’

Recreation 1.A-017 ROS settings will be managed for Primitive ROS class, except for those areas that have Limits of Acceptable Change management direction.

1.A-018 Design, construct, reconstruct, and maintain trails to the minimum standard necessary to minimize or prevent resource damage and protect the safety of wilderness users. Trails will appear to be part of the wilderness environment and not an intrusion upon it.

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1.A 1.A-019 Appalachian National Scenic Trail: The following standards apply to the DESIGNATED Appalachian Trail within designated Wilderness. See MRx 4.A. WILDERNESS AREAS A. Use of hand-held power tools, like chainsaws, to reopen trails following catastrophic natural events may be authorized by the Regional Forester. B. Along the A.T. corridor, activities will be planned and carried out in cooperation with the appropriate A.T. management partner(s). C. Horses and packstock are prohibited on the footpath of the A.T. D. Existing A.T. shelters and associated facilities may be maintained. E. Blazing is allowed on the Appalachian Trail. F. Construct, relocate, and maintain the A.T. to the minimum standard necessary for protection of the soil, water, vegetation, visual quality, user safety, and long-term maintenance. Emphasize trails that appear to be part of the wilderness environment and not an intrusion upon it. G. When existing trail shelters deteriorate to the point that they must be replaced or reconstructed, analyze the shelter location. When possible, relocate shelters to appropriate sites outside of Wilderness.

1.A-020 This area is closed to OHV use.

1.A-021 For the Ellicott Rock Wilderness, group camping size is limited to 12 people.

1.A-022 Apply visitor controls such as permitting, restrictions in party size, closure of portions of the Wilderness to camping, or similar measure as necessary to protect wilderness values

Scenery 1.A-023 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH VH VH VH VH VH VH Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 1.A-024 Motorized access is prohibited.

1.A-025 Construction of roads or trails for motorized use is prohibited. Only exterior boundary roads occur.

1.A-026 Development of improvements will be in compliance with an approved wilderness plan.

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Timber Management 1.A DESIGNATED 1.A-027 These lands are classified as unsuitable for timber production, WILDERNESS withdrawn by Congress. AREAS

Fish and Wildlife 1.A-028 Fish stocking by non-motorized means to restore native species is permitted.

1.A-029 Stocking of nonnative fish by non-motorized means may be permissible provided that (1) stocking traditionally occurred before wilderness designation, and (2) the species is likely to survive and spawn.

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1.B RECOMMENDED 1.B RECOMMENDED WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS Areas to be recommended to Congress for designation as wilderness areas are:

Ben Gap Ken Mountain Cedar Mountain Shoal Branch Duck Branch Tate Branch Ellicott Rock (extension) Tripp Branch Foster Branch Wilson Cove Helton Creek

EMPHASIS The focus would be on managing these areas to protect wilderness characteristics pending legislation as to their classification, and providing for existing uses where compatible with protecting wilderness character.

These areas would be managed at an overall minimum level (very low intensity) to keep Federal expenditures low and to provide remote, dispersed recreation opportunities. No expenditures will be involved except those required by law, to protect human health and safety, or to correct resource damage conditions. No resource would be emphasized.

DESIRED CONDITION These areas would be managed similarly to MRx 1.A. Roadless characteristics are enhanced. Begin to decommission and/or close open roads. This type management is to continue until Congress decides whether or not to include the area in the National Wilderness Preservation System.

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests, with little to no human-caused forest openings. Natural processes such as ice storms or windstorms, insects, diseases, and lightening fires are the primary influences to vegetation. These processes will periodically remove the canopy and result in large and small areas of young and small trees. It is estimated an average area affected will be approximately 2 to 3 percent per decade of the land area managed as wilderness. The range of canopy breaks includes the common occurrence of small gaps created by individual tree mortality, to frequent insect or disease-killed groups up to approximately one hundred acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas up to several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife are not maintained, but are allowed to succeed to forest. New permanent wildlife openings are not created.

The landscape character is natural evolving with natural processes the only agents of change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural change is assumed to be visually acceptable and no active management is directed at moderating visual contrasts. The naturally evolving landscape character expresses the natural evolution of biophysical features and processes, with very limited human intervention. Human-caused

3-14 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 change may be specifically mitigated to be made less obvious. The SIO of Very High 1.B generally provides for ecological change only. RECOMMENDED WILDERNESS The recreation use emphasis is on dispersed activities such as hunting, fishing, or hiking STUDY AREAS but localized and limited development that facilitates those uses may be located adjacent to the area.

Little or no visitor information is provided off-site to create any specific expectation of amenities. On-site information is limited and may be absent. It is typically a bulletin board. Signs are very limited. Visitors are expected to be skilled in the outdoors, self- reliant and well prepared. Visitor controls are not normally needed but may be used in preference to human modifications of the land itself to alleviate or prevent problems. Visitors’ expectations and satisfaction will be monitored. Search and rescue or recovery is not readily available and permission for motorized operations requires a case-by-case decision made by appropriate authority level.

Permanent, human-made shelters may be present if they existed prior to wilderness recommendation, particularly those along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Recommended Wilderness management (MRx 1.B.) takes precedance over the A.T. MRx 4.A., but is sensitive to its standards and emphasis. Refer to the 4.A. standards.

Construction of new shelters and primitive privies at new locations within recommended wilderness is not allowed unless there is a need to protect natural resources from impacts of human visitors. Structures such as signs or bridges for the comfort or convenience of visitors are minimal or may not exist. The structures appearing in wilderness are generally for the protection of resources and visitors, or were present prior to wilderness recommendation. Forest-designated trails lie lightly on the land (typically narrow footpaths or horse trails) and have directional signing that blends with natural surroundings. Access to the area is limited. Trailheads at surrounding roads are designed with sensitivity to scale and character to set the tone for experiencing a primitive recreation experience.

Travel and recreation is strictly non-motorized. Although open roads may serve as boundaries to the area, its interior includes no open roads. Human access is by non- motorized means only. Existing roads may become trails. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area.

There are no wildlife habitat objectives for this prescription. Wildlife habitats are characterized by nearly unbroken tree canopy and old forest. Canopy removal occurs by natural events on about 2 to 3 percent of area per decade. Forest succession as a result of natural changes is gradually moving composition toward more tolerant species such as white pine, hemlock, beech, rhododendron, mountain laurel, red maple, sourwood, and blackgum. Large downed woody material, standing snags, and tree cavities are on a trend of increase. High-quality early-successional habitat rarely occurs, and then usually as a result of a combination of tree mortality followed by wildfire.

Data collection for research purposes occurs typically on a special project basis. Collection is rarely of actual specimens but is rather information. It may be frequent but is generally not.

Streams and water bodies are periodically inventoried and monitored on a sample basis to characterize larger scale conditions or trends or to monitor for threatened and endangered species.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed,

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1.B endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a RECOMMENDED point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically WILDERNESS basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known STUDY AREAS populations may occur with the written concurrence of the U.S. Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. Where active management is used, quantitative pre-treatment inventory and post-treatment monitoring and reporting of response is done. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the forest.

Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring monitoring and protection. Priority of heritage resource inventory areas within the wilderness will focus on known heritage resources, probability of containing significant heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as trails and campsites. Future heritage resource management will be determined during the development of wilderness plans.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 1.B-001 Privately owned surface and subsurface rights within these areas are high priorities for acquisition.

1.B-002 Private lands within and adjacent to recommended wilderness areas will be high priority for acquisition when such acquisition would improve the manageability of the wilderness.

1.B-003 Private land trusts adjacent to the boundaries of recommended wilderness areas will be encouraged.

1.B-004 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas.

1.B-005 Existing non-conforming uses will generally not be renewed.

1.B-006 Other special uses such as outfitter/guide permits, may be authorized, if consistent and compatible with the goals and objectives of these areas.

Minerals and Geology 1.B-007 Mineral leases: using stipulations such as no-surface occupancy and controlled surface use, and mineral material authorizations, could be allowed if compatible with wilderness study area designations.

1.B-008 Existing leases and authorizations will not be renewed.

1.B-009 Mineral and Fossil Collecting: Information gathering activities that involve only very minor surface disturbance and are compatible with the wilderness environment are permissible by permit from the Forest Supervisor.

1.B-010 No new mining claims can be located unless they are on reserved or outstanding mineral rights.

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Vegetation and Forest Health 1.B RECOMMENDED 1.B-011 Native insects and diseases are not controlled, unless epidemics are WILDERNESS expected to cause unacceptable damage to adjacent lands and STUDY AREAS resources.

1.B-012 Nonnative invasive pests are controlled if expected to cause an unnatural loss to the wilderness resource.

1.B-013 Noxious weeds may be eradicated by physical means such as grubbing when the infestations are isolated, and hand-applied chemicals may be used when absolutely necessary.

1.B-014 Apply the current Minimum Requirement Decision Guide to management activities in recommended wilderness areas.

Fire Management 1.B-015 Use the minimum amount of ground, vegetation, or stream disturbance that is effective to achieve fire management objectives.

1.B-016 Use suppression methods with the least detriment to wilderness, unless the fire is threatening public safety within the recommended wilderness area or resources and property outside the wilderness.

1.B-017 Management-ignited prescribed fire can be used in recommended wilderness study areas with approval by the Forest Service authority appropriate to the objective of the burn and when conducted by qualified Forest Service personnel.

1.B-018 Natural ignitions may be used in recommended wilderness areas to allow fires to play, as nearly as possible, their natural ecological role, as long as the applicable documentation has been prepared and approved.

Recreation 1.B-019 ROS settings will be managed for a primitive ROS class.

1.B-020 Design, construct, reconstruct, and maintain trails to the minimum standard necessary to minimize or prevent resource damage and protect the safety of wilderness users. Trails will appear to be part of the wilderness environment and not an intrusion upon it.

1.B-021 Appalachian National Scenic Trail: Wilderness management standards apply, such as no motorized equipment when maintenance or relocations occur. See MRx 4.A.

1.B-022 This area is closed to OHV use.

1.B-023 Decommission facilities that are not compatible with a wilderness environment.

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1.B RECOMMENDED Scenery WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS 1.B-024 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH VH VH VH VH VH VH Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 1.B-025 Motorized access is prohibited.

1.B-026 Construction of roads or trails for motorized use is prohibited. Only exterior boundary system roads occur.

1.B-027 Decommission all roads. Motorized equipment use is allowed to decommission roads. Prior to decommissioning, managed all roads as closed.

Timber Management 1.B–028 These lands are classified as unsuitable for timber production, not appropriate, under the NFMA; however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple use values, and activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

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2.A CHATTOOGA 2.A CHATTOOGA WILD AND SCENIC RIVER CORRIDOR WILD AND SCENIC RIVER CORRIDOR Table 3- 2. Acres in Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor by Forest by Classification Wild Scenic Recreational Sumter National Forest (South Carolina) 3,290 224 1,030 Nantahala National Forest (North Carolina) 1,065 305 985 Chattahoochee National Forest (Georgia) 5,998 468 1,551 Total Acres 10,353 997 3,566

EMPHASIS Congress designated this corridor as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It is managed to protect and enhance the outstandingly remarkable values of the river and its surroundings. The river will be preserved in a free-flowing condition for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The Chattooga Wild and Scenic River (WSR) corridor is located in the Sumter, Nantahala, and Chattahoochee National Forests. Its 57 designated miles begin in North Carolina (Nantahala National Forest) and form the state boundary between South Carolina (Sumter National Forest) and Georgia (Chattahoochee National Forest). The river includes sections designated as ‘wild,’ ‘scenic,’ and ‘recreational’.

The direction in this Plan specific to the Chattooga WSR (prescriptions 2.A, 2.A.1, 2.A.2. and 2.A.3.) constitutes the comprehensive plan as required in Section 3(d)(2) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Act).

Relative to the requirements in the Act, this direction: • Describes the outstandingly remarkable values. • Includes emphasis statements, desired conditions and standards to protect river values. • Provides detailed direction for on-river recreation capacity and establishes capacity for in-corridor recreation through desired condition for facility development. • Addresses water quality issues within the watershed, particularly through partnerships described in Chapter 4 of the Sumter National Forest LRMP. • Includes river-specific monitoring measures for water quality and the outstandingly remarkable values in Chapter 5 of the Sumter National Forest LRMP.

The Nantahala and Chattahoochee National Forests will use this direction for management of the river within their respective forest boundaries.

By agreement among the three Forests, the Sumter National Forest has the lead authority for all boating/floating use (commercially-guided and self-guided) on the Chattooga River when it involves the main channel from Burrell’s Ford to Lake Tugaloo, as well as the West Fork. The respective forest where they occur administers other land and water uses.

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2.A Outstandingly Remarkable Values of the Chattooga River CHATTOOGA WILD AND In 1974, when the river was designated by Congress as a part of the National Wild and SCENIC RIVER Scenic Rivers System the river possessed several outstandingly remarkable values CORRIDOR including geology, biology, scenery, recreation and history. These values have generally improved over the years.

Geology The geologic and geomorphologic values of the Chattooga, as described in the 1971 Wild and Scenic River Study Report for the Chattooga River, included the deeply dissected escarpment and the steep, rocky, forested sloped that plunge into deep, narrow gorges. There are a series of outstanding monolithic treeless domes and slopes of exposed resistant granite, which occur at the upper headwaters of the river. Another feature of the river is that it flows into the Atlantic Ocean whereas most other rivers in the Southern Appalachian flow into the Gulf of Mexico. It is likely that the Tugaloo River (formed by the confluence of Chattooga and the Tallulah) captured these rivers from the Chattahoochee River. A stream capture of this magnitude is unusual in the region.

Biology There is a variety and richness of plant life within the Chattooga Watershed, including the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor. The unique geography and climate characteristics provide habitats for uncommon assemblages of endemic, disjunct, and relic plant species. The rarest species within the Chattooga River Gorge landtype are Southern Appalachian endemics: liverworts, rock gnome lichen, Blue Ridge bindweed, Fraser’s loosestrife, Manhart’s sedge, Biltmore’s sedge, pink shell azeala, and divided leaf ragwort. Old growth communities comprise almost 10% of the corridor. Federal and state agencies consider several non-game wildlife species within the watershed sensitive species.

Scenery The scenery along the Chattooga River is exceptional. The scenery plays an important part in the Wild and Scenic River experience. The river is deeply entrenched between high ridges for large stretches of its length. Steep forested slopes on either side of the river give a feeling of seclusion. The river constantly meanders and curves and there are excellent views along these bends. The seasons change the landscape from the varying soft greens of spring and summer to a patchwork of red, yellow and orange. Winter finds the leaves stripped away and the patches of green from the white pines stand out against the gray-brown hillsides and exposed rock formations. The river itself provides a varying scene from a smooth flowing stream to a river with thundering falls and cascades, raging rapids, enormous boulders and cliff-enclosed deep pools.

Recreation The recreation values of the river and corridor are outstanding along its 57-mile course. The river offers a wide variety of activities in a high-quality setting. Activities range from swimming to hiking and horseback riding with spectacular scenery to excellent trout fishing and nationally recognized white-water rafting opportunities. Other activities include backpacking, photography and nature study. Most of these activities take place in largely unmodified natural surroundings with many opportunities for remoteness and solitude.

History Very little systematic survey has been completed in the river corridor. A total of 38 archeological sites have been recorded within the corridor. These include 15 prehistoric sites, 15 historic house and farmstead sites, a railroad embankment, 2 historic cemeteries, a 19th century mineral prospecting pit, and a rock shelter. Approximately half of these sites are considered potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The Cherokees destroyed Chattooga Town, a large settlement of Indians, before

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2.A 1600. The site is near the present day Highway 28 Bridge site. This regionally significant CHATTOOGA site is potentially eligible for the National Register. WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STANDARDS CORRIDOR

2.A-001 Floating on the Chattooga River is not allowed upstream of the Highway 28 Bridge.

2.A-002 Organized events (such as boat races) are not allowed on the river.

2.A-003 Motorized boats or craft are not allowed on the river.

2.A-004 The number of multi-year permits to provide guided inflatable raft trips for the public on the Chattooga River will not exceed three (3).

2.A-005 The number of multi-year permits to provide guided hardboat trips on the Chattooga River will not exceed five (5).

2.A-006 The recognized holidays for all boating/floating uses (both guided and self-guided) are Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.

2.A-007 Allow no more than 12 craft on all guided trips.

2.A-008 Overnight camping at locations along the river by guided (inflatable and hardboat) permittees must be approved by the Forest Service.

2.A-009 The total allocation of guided inflatable trips (for all multi-year permittees combined) and their locations are as follows (see Table 3- 3 and Table 3- 4). Allocation Low Water Level (below approximately one foot at the Highway 76 gauge): A. Weekdays, except for Holidays - 9 Section IV trips and no Section III trips (A map of these sections is found in Appendix I.) Only 6 of these trips may run Five Falls. B. Weekends and Holidays: 1. October-April - 9 Section IV trips and no Section III trips. Only 5 of these trips may run Five Falls. 2. May-September - 8 Section IV trips and no Section III trips. Only 4 of these trips may run Five Falls.

Moderate Water Level (approximately 1 to 2 1/2 feet on the Highway 76 gauge): A. Weekdays, except for Holidays - 6 Section IV trips and 7 Section III trips. B. Weekends and Holidays: 1. October-April - 5 Section IV trips and 4 Section III trips. 2. May-September - 4 Section IV trips and 4 Section III trips.

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2.A High Water Level (approximately 2 1/2 to 3 feet on the Highway 76 CHATTOOGA gauge). At this level, the Section IV trips may launch as far upstream as WILD AND Thrift's Ferry, thus the Section III and Section IV trips may overlap SCENIC RIVER between Thrift's Ferry and Highway 76. At this level, the Section IV trips CORRIDOR may not run Five Falls. A. Weekdays, except for Holidays - 6 Section IV trips and 7 Section III trips. B. Weekends and Holidays: 1. October-April - 5 Section IV trips and 4 Section III trips. 2. May-September - 4 Section IV trips and 4 Section III trips.

Very High Water Level (approximately 3 feet on the Highway 76 gauge up to the maximum safe water level) A. Weekdays, except for Holidays - No Section IV trips and 13 Section III trips. B. Weekends and Holidays: 1. October-April – No Section IV trips and 9 Section III trips. 2. May-September - No Section IV trips and 8 Section III trips.

Trip size (including guides, paying clients and non-paying clients) does not exceed 40. Trips may exceed 30 clients, however, total number of clients served per section per day does not exceed an average of 30 per trip.

Location A. Section III trips launch as far upstream as Earl’s Ford, and take out as far downstream as Woodall Shoals, unless otherwise noted. B. Section IV trips launch as far upstream as Highway 76, and takeout as far downstream as Lake Tugaloo, unless otherwise noted. C. Section III and IV trips may overlap between Highway 76 and Woodall Shoals. D. Inflatable raft trips in Sections III and IV can be moved to Sections I or II. E. Short-term adjustments to the locations of launches and takeouts are necessary on rare occasions because of occurrences such as accidents or natural disasters, which affect access to, or naviga- bility of, the river. These adjustments will only be made with the approval of the Forest Service.

Table 3- 3. Chattooga River Guided Rafting Allocations - Section III Capacity May – September October - April Water Levels Permitted Weekdays Weekends* Weekdays Weekends* Trips/day 0 0 0 0 Low People/day+ 0 0 0 0 Trips/day 7 4 7 4 Moderate People/day+ 280 160 280 160 Trips/day 7 4 7 4 High People/day+ 280 160 280 160 Very High Trips/day 13/3 8/3 13/3 9/3 Denominator indicates portion of trips allowed from Hwy 28 to Earl’s or People/day+ 520 320 520 360 Sandy Ford * Includes Holidays + Includes Guides

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2.A Table 3- 4. Chattooga River Guided Rafting Allocations - Section IV CHATTOOGA Capacity May – September October - April WILD AND Water Levels Permitted Weekdays Weekends* Weekdays Weekends* SCENIC RIVER Low Trips/day 9/6 8/4 9/6 9/5 CORRIDOR Denominator indicates portion of trips allowed in People/day+ 360 320 360 360 Five Falls Trips/day 6 4 6 5 Moderate People/day+ 240 160 240 200 High Trips/day 6 4 6 5 These trips may put in at People/day+ 240 160 240 200 Thrift’s Ferry Trips/day 0 0 0 0 Very High People/day+ 0 0 0 0 * Includes Holidays + Includes Guides

2.A-010 The total allocation of guided hardboat trips (for all multi-year permittees combined) and their locations are as follows (see Table 3- 5):

Allocation A. No more than 48 trips per week (20 on Section I/II and 28 on Section III) on weekdays. B. No more than 13 trips (6 on Section I/II and 7 on Section III) on weekdays. No more than 2 trips per day on weekends. No trips on holidays or holiday weekends. C. The combined total number of clients and instructors will not exceed 24 people per trip. D. Two inflatable canoes and kayaks are allowed on each trip.

Location A. Section I/II trips launch as far upstream as the West Fork registration site, and take out as far downstream as Earls Ford. B. Section III trips launch as far upstream as Earls Ford, and take out as far downstream as Highway 76. C. A trip in Section IV is allowed in the place of a scheduled Section IV guided inflatable trip.

Table 3- 5. Chattooga River Guided Hardboat Allocations

Capacity River Section Day of the Week Permitted I & II III

Trips/week 20 28 Weekdays Trips/day 6 7 Weekends Trips/day 2

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2.A 2.A-011 The total allocation of short-term canoe, kayak and inner-tube guided CHATTOOGA trips (for short term permits) and their locations are as follows: WILD AND SCENIC RIVER Allocation CORRIDOR A. The number of permits is unlimited. B. The maximum number of trips permitted each year by each different organization is 5. (Each day on the river is considered one trip.) C. The maximum group size is 12 crafts (10 for students) for canoes and kayaks, not to exceed 24 people (including instructors). D. The maximum group size is 24 inner tubes, not to exceed 24 people (including instructors). E. Trips are allowed on weekdays only from April 1 through September 30 and on all days (including weekends) during the remainder of the year.

Location A. Canoe and kayak trips can be taken in Sections I, II, and III only. B. Inner tube trips can be taken in Sections I and II only.

2.A-012 The total allocation of self-guided boaters and their locations are as follows (see Table 3- 6 and Table 3- 7):

Allocation and Location A. In Section III, year-round allocation for self-guided use at all water levels is 175 people per weekend day and holidays, and 125 people per weekday. B. In Section IV, year-round allocation for self-guided use at all water levels is 160 people per weekend day and holidays, and 75 people per weekday. C. The procedure for the enforcement of self-guided use allocations in Sections III and IV is:

In Section III between April 1 and August 31, should daily self- guided use ever reach 175 people per weekend day (holidays included) for 20 days per year for 2 consecutive years, reservations would be required for self-guided boaters on Section III on weekends and holidays during those months beginning the following year. Similarly, should daily self-guided use reach 125 people per weekday for 50 weekdays per year for 2 consecutive years, reservations would be required for self-guided boaters on Section III on weekdays during those months beginning the following year.

In Section IV between April 1 and August 31, should daily self- guided use ever reach 160 people per weekend day (holidays included) for 20 weekend days per year for 2 consecutive years, reservations would be required for self-guided boaters on Section IV on weekends and holidays during those months beginning the following year. Similarly, should daily self-guided use reach 75 people per weekday for 50 weekdays per year for 2 consecutive years, reservations would be required for self-guided boaters on Section IV on weekdays during those months beginning the following year.

D. Self-guided users will use a non-voluntary registration system.

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2.A Table 3- 6. Chattooga River Self-Guided Boating Use Allocations - Section III CHATTOOGA All Year WILD AND Capacity SCENIC RIVER Permitted Weekdays Weekends* CORRIDOR

Boaters/day 125 175 *Includes Holidays

Table 3- 7. Chattooga River Self-Guided Boating Use Allocations - Section IV

Capacity All Year Permitted Weekdays Weekends*

Boaters/day 75 160 *Includes Holidays

2.A-013 The total allocation of shuttles for self-guided boaters is as follows:

A. No more than two shuttle permittees. B. No more than 30 percent of the daily self-guided allocation by section is authorized for shuttle services.

2.A-014 Possessing or using a saddle, pack or draft animal is prohibited within the corridor unless on a designated trail or road.

2.A-015 The corridor is unsuitable for timber production, withdrawn by Congress.

2.A-016 New utility corridors or communications/electronic sites will be discouraged within the corridor.

2.A-017 Fire can be used within the corridor if the outstandingly remarkable values of the stream are protected.

2.A-018 Limit mountain biking to designated routes.

2.A-019 For all sections of designated Wild and Scenic Rivers, insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources provided that pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem.

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2.A.1 CHATTOOGA 2.A.1 CHATTOOGA RIVER - DESIGNATED WILD RIVER RIVER – DESIGNATED SEGMENTS WILD RIVER SEGMENTS Table 3- 8. Chattooga River Corridor– Wild River Segments

National Forest Wild River Segments (in acres) Sumter National Forest (South Carolina) 3,290 Nantahala National Forest (North Carolina) 1,065 Chattahoochee National Forest (Georgia) 5,998

Total Acres 10,353

EMPHASIS Congress designated these wild river segments and their associated corridors as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. They are managed to protect and enhance the outstandingly remarkable values of the river. The river will be preserved in a free- flowing condition for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of present and future generations.

DESIRED CONDITION These segments of the Chattooga River are the most primitive and remote. Management of these segments is focused on protecting the outstandingly remarkable values of the river and preserving the natural environment and natural processes from human influences. Access to the area is limited to roads outside of the corridor. Non-motorized trails accommodate use and river access while protecting the resources and the river's outstanding resource values. Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, outfitted use, hiking, backpacking, and wildlife viewing are all typical uses along some parts of this corridor. Most users enjoy these activities without seeing many other users except at the occasional boat put-ins and trailheads. Capacity of facilities is typically low, and they are rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, are usually in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more amenities. Floating these segments of the river, if allowed, requires considerable skill and self-reliance. (Some wild segments do not allow floating/boating.) The recreational opportunities are in a semi-primitive non-motorized setting.

The landscape character is natural evolving with a mostly continous canopy except for the linear swath of the river itself. Occasional gaps occur from the results of natural disturbances. Most of the forest is mature, with many large trees. Most common tree species include hemlock, white pine, and various hardwoods. Understory plants, particularly rhododendron, silverbell, dogwood, redbud, and ferns such as Christmas fern and New York fern, provide a lush vegetative understory visible from the river and trails. Old growth forests predominate, except where significant natural disturbances occur.

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Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained, but no 2.A.1 creation of new permanent openings of this type occurs. Native species are emphasized CHATTOOGA when establishing food plants for wildlife. RIVER – DESIGNATED Mature forests and older stands in various stages of climax canopy development and WILD RIVER decline dominate habitat conditions provided though this prescription. Wildlife responsive SEGMENTS to large diameter standing snags and living den trees (raccoon, barred owl, great-crested flycatcher, chickadee, etc.) would be expected here in high densities if adequate food supplies were available. High canopy species such as red-eyed vireo and species that use mid-story and well developed shrub layers in understory (thrushes, ovenbird, etc.) would also be expected in high densities.

Disturbance is primarily caused by natural process (floods, wind storms, insects, diseases, and fires) or prescribed fire. Prescribed fire may be used to mimic natural disturbances and to maintain and restore rare communities and threatened, endangered and sensitive species habitat. Integrated pest management practices might be used to control or minimize impacts from native and non-native invasive species. This may include the use of mechanized equipment, power tools and approved pesticides. Mechanized equipment and power tools may also be used to provide for public health and safety; search and rescue; and maintenance of facilities, trails, and wildlife openings.

STANDARDS

2.A.1-001 The scenic integrity objective is Very High for all inventoried scenic classes.

2.A.1-002 Road construction and new river crossings are prohibited, subject to valid existing rights or leases.

2.A.1-003 No federal mineral leasing. No mineral material authorization is permitted for commercial or private use.

2.A.1-004 No new wildlife clearings will be developed, but existing ones may be maintained.

2.A.1-005 This prescription includes portions of the Big Mountain inventoried roadless area. Management actions will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of the entire inventoried roadless area.

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2.A.2 2.A.2 CHATTOOGA RIVER - DESIGNATED SCENIC RIVER CHATTOOGA RIVER – SEGMENTS DESIGNATED SCENIC RIVER SEGMENTS Table 3- 9. Chattooga River Corridor – Scenic River Segments

National Forest Scenic River Segments (in acres) Sumter National Forest (South Carolina) 224 Nantahala National Forest (North Carolina) 305 Chattahoochee National Forest (Georgia) 468 Total Acres 997

EMPHASIS Congress designated these scenic river segments and their associated corridors as a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. They are managed to protect and enhance the outstandingly remarkable values that led to their designation. The river itself is preserved in a free-flowing condition for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of present and future generations. Recreation opportunities emphasize relatively low development levels.

DESIRED CONDITION The scenic river segments on the Chattooga are slightly more developed than the wild segments. The river's shorelines are undeveloped with occasional roads or bridges crossing the river, and there may be designated parking areas and trailheads. Non- motorized trails accommodate use and river access while protecting the resources and the river's outstanding resource values. Non-motorized trail users may include hikers, anglers, boaters, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.

Visitors enjoy a natural, setting although the sights and sounds of other visitors and civilization may be present. Visitors' outdoor skills are challenged moderately. The opportunity to encounter other visitors is moderate to high, depending upon the location and time of year. Visitors seeking solitude visit during non-peak seasons, mid-week, or by hiking some distance from roads and parking areas.

Recreational facilities are primarily for visitor safety and access and to protect the river resources. Capacity of facilities is typically low, and they are rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, are usually in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more amenities. The recreational opportunities are in semi-primitive motorized setting.

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The landscape character is natural appearing and pastoral with a mostly continous 2.A.2 canopy, except for the linear swath of the river itself. Most of the forest is mature, with CHATTOOGA many large trees. Most common tree species include hemlock, white pine, and various RIVER – hardwoods. Understory plants, particularly rhododendron, silverbell, dogwood, redbud, DESIGNATED and ferns such as Christmas fern and New York fern, provide a lush vegetative understory SCENIC RIVER visible from the river and trails. Old growth forests predominate, except where significant SEGMENTS natural disturbances occur. Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained. New wildlife openings may be created if they enhance the outstandingly remarkable values of the corridor. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife.

Mature forests and older stands in various stages of climax canopy development and decline dominate habitat conditions provided though this prescription. Wildlife responsive to large diameter standing snags and living den trees (raccoon, barred owl, great-crested flycatcher, chickadee, etc.) would be expected here in high densities if adequate food supplies were available. High canopy species such as red-eyed vireo and species that use mid-story and well developed shrub layers in understory (thrushes, ovenbird, etc.) would also be expected in high densities.

Disturbance is primarily caused by natural process (floods, wind storms, and fires) or prescribed fire. Management actions may provide scenic vistas and watchable wildlife opportunities, maintain developed recreation facilities and trails, restore native vegetative communities, restore aquatic and riparian ecosystems, reduce fuel buildup and control non-native invasive vegetation. Prescribed fire is used to mimic natural disturbances and to maintain and restore desired communities. Integrated pest management practices might be used to control or minimize impacts from native and non-native invasive species. This may include the use of mechanized equipment, power tools and approved pesticides. Mechanized equipment and power tools may also be used to provide for public health and safety; search and rescue; and maintenance of facilities, trails and wildlife openings.

STANDARDS

2.A.2-001 The scenic integrity objective is High for inventoried scenic classes.

2.A.2-002 Road construction and new river crossing are prohibited, subject to valid existing rights or leases

2.A.2-003 Federal mineral leasing is allowed with a no surface occupancy (NSO) stipulation. No mineral material authorization is permitted for private or commercial use.

2.A.2-004 Allow no new wildlife openings, unless they enhance the outstandingly remarkable values.

2.A.2-005 This prescription includes portions of the Ellicott Rock wilderness addition inventoried roadless area. Management actions will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of the entire inventoried roadless area.

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2.A.3 CHATTOOGA 2.A.3 CHATTOOGA RIVER – DESIGNATED RIVER – RECREATIONAL RIVER SEGMENTS DESIGNATED RECREATIONAL

RIVER SEGMENTS Table 3- 10. Chattooga River Corridor – Recreational River Segments

National Forest Recreational River Segment (in acres) Sumter National Forest (South Carolina) 1,030 Nantahala National Forest (North Carolina) 985 Chattahoochee National Forest (Georgia) 1,551 Total Acres 3,566

EMPHASIS Congress designated these recreational river segments and their associated corridors as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. They are managed to protect and enhance the outstandingly remarkable values that led to their designation. The river itself is preserved in a free-flowing condition for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of present and future generations. A range of recreational opportunities is provided in this prescription area. These opportunities are characteristic of, and in harmony with, the natural setting of the individual river segments.

DESIRED CONDITION The river corridor provides outstanding opportunities for people to enjoy a wide variety of river-oriented recreation opportunities in an attractive natural setting.

Visitors are likely to see others. Non-motorized trails may be highly developed, including hardened trails for a high level of accessibility for persons of all abilities. The river is readily accessible by roads. Roads may parallel the river for stretches.

There is evidence of human activity along the shores of these segments of river. There is limited need for visitors to rely on their personal physical abilities and primitive recreation skills within developed and trail areas of these segments. Other areas remain remote and difficult to access or negotiate. Visitors seeking solitude may find it difficult to achieve, particularly in peak-use rafting and fishing seasons. On National Forest system land, visitors enjoy a natural-appearing setting with a range of man-made recreational developments. Since there is the potential for large numbers of visitors at peak-use seasons, regulations may be necessary to protect resources and visitors. Facilities provide visitor safety and comfort and protect the river resources. Facilities may include parking areas, trailheads, bulletin boards, interpretive kiosks, signs, restrooms, canoe/raft launches, fishing platforms, picnic sites, etc. The recreational opportunities are in roaded natural setting.

The landscape character is mostly natural appearing and pastoral. Plant communities are structurally diverse with occasional small gaps occurring from natural events and

3-30 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3

2.A.3 vegetation manipulation by humans. However, most of the forest in these sections is CHATTOOGA mature, with many large trees. Most common tree species include hemlock, white pine, RIVER – and various hardwoods. Understory plants, particularly rhododendron, silverbell, DESIGNATED dogwood, redbud, and ferns such as Christmas fern and New York fern, provide a lush RECREATIONAL vegetative understory visible from the river and trails. Management actions may provide RIVER scenic vistas and watchable wildlife opportunities, maintain developed recreation SEGMENTS facilities and trails, restore native vegetative communities, restore aquatic and riparian ecosystems, reduce fuel buildup, and control non-native invasive vegetation. Prescribed fire is used to mimic natural disturbances and to maintain and restore desired communities. Integrated pest management practices might be used to control or minimize impacts from native and non-native invasive species. This may include the use of mechanized equipment, power tools and approved pesticides. Mechanized equipment and power tools may also be used to provide for public health and safety; search and rescue; and maintenance of facilities, trails and wildlife openings. Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained, but no creation of new permanent openings of this type occurs. New wildlife openings may be created if they enhance the outstandingly remarkable values of the corridor. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife.

STANDARDS

2.A.3-001 The scenic integrity objective is High for inventoried scenic classes 1 and 2, and Moderate for scenic classes 3 through 5.

2.A.3-002 No new river crossings are permitted, subject to valid existing rights.

2.A.3-003 Federal mineral leasing is allowed with a no surface occupancy (NSO) stipulation. Mineral material authorizations will be allowed.

2.A.3-004 Allow no new wildlife openings unless they enhance the outstandingly remarkable values.

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2.B RECOMMENDED 2.B RECOMMENDED WILD, SCENIC, AND WILD, SCENIC, RECREATIONAL RIVERS AND RECREATIONAL This prescription would manage streams recommended for further study to determine RIVERS their suitability for designation as part of the National Wild and Scenic River System as if they were already designated. Should further study result in concluding that streams or portions of streams are not suitable, the unsuitable portion will be managed under prescription 4.H unless the Plan is amended to allocate them to another prescription. Streams or portions of streams found to be suitable are managed with this prescription until it is superseded by direction from authority above the Regional Forester or until Congress acts to designate them. If Congress designates some but not all of those streams recommended to them, those not designated will be managed under prescription 4.H unless the Plan is amended to allocate them to another prescription. Standards are designed in anticipation of eventual Congressional action on the rivers recommended for further study leading to Wild and Scenic River designation. When Congress designates additions to the Wild and Scenic River system, those additions will be amended into MRx 2.A.

The streams recommended for further study and their segment classifications are:

Ocmulgee River One section: scenic Conasauga/Jacks Four sections: wild, scenic, wild, recreational Chattahoochee River Four sections: wild, recreational, wild, recreational Overflow One section: wild Little River One section: scenic

EMPHASIS These streams and their associated corridors have been recommended for further study of their suitability for Congressional designation as wild, scenic, or recreational river segments as a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. They are managed to protect and perpetuate the outstandingly remarkable values that qualifies them for further study. The streams would be preserved in a free-flowing condition for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of present and future generations.

OBJECTIVES OBJ-2.B-01 Amend the Forest Plan within one year of Congressional designation of recommended Wild and Scenic Rivers by including them in the 2.A prescriptions, along with any needed stream-specific management direction.

OBJ-2.B-02 Develop a comprehensive river management plan for each designated Wild and Scenic river within three years of Congressional designation.

OBJ-2.B-03 Within ten years of Congressional designation of the Ocmulgee River in classified scenic and recreational sections suitable for floating, establish campsites and put-in/take-out facilities at approximately one-half day float travel distance increments.

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2.B STANDARDS RECOMMENDED WILD, SCENIC, 2.B-001 Maintain consistent management within any designated river corridor AND shared by more than one Forest. RECREATIONAL RIVERS 2.B-002 For all classifications of Wild and Scenic Rivers recommended for further study, management actions will not cause substantial adverse effect to the river and its corridor.

2.B-003 For all classifications of Wild and Scenic Rivers recommended for further study, the purposes for management actions must be compatible with the intent of the WSR Act, legislation designating individual streams, and FSH 1909.12, Chapter 8.

2.B-004 All classifications of Wild and Scenic Rivers recommended for further study are unsuitable for timber production. Wild sections are classified as unsuitable, withdrawn by Congress. Scenic and recreational sections are classified as unsuitable, not appropriate; however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple use values, or activities that meet other Plan goals or objectives are permitted.

2.B-005 For all classifications of Wild and Scenic Rivers recommended for further study, leasable minerals authorizations will require no-surface- occupancy stipulations.

2.B-006 For all classifications of Wild and Scenic Rivers recommended for further study, riding or pack animal use will be only on open roads, or trails identified for that use.

2.B-007 For all classifications of Wild and Scenic Rivers recommended for further study, no new OHV routes will be constructed or designated.

2.B-008 Management actions will not negatively affect the outstandingly remarkable values such that classification of a river segment is downgraded; that is, from wild to scenic or recreational or from scenic to recreational or from recreational to not eligible.

2.B-009 Segments of a classified Wild and Scenic River recommended for further study within a Congressionally-designated Wilderness area will be managed in accordance with the Wilderness designation.

2.B-010 On that portion of the Oconee National Forest south of Interstate 20, the requirements of the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service January 2003 RCW Recovery Plan and its amendments must be complied with in each management prescription.

2.B.-011 For all classifications of Wild and Scenic Rivers recommended for further study, insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the outstandingly remarkable values for which the area is recognizeded, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources provided that pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem.

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2.B.1 RECOMMENDED 2.B.1 RECOMMENDED WILD RIVER SEGMENTS WILD RIVER SEGMENTS The eligible streams recommended for further study for their suitability for possible designation of wild river segments are:

Conasauga/Jacks Four sections: wild, scenic, wild, recreational Chattahoochee River Four sections: wild, recreational, wild, recreational Overflow One section: wild

DESIRED CONDITION Of all the river designations, “wild” offers the most primitive and remote setting. Management of the river corridor is focused on protecting and preserving the natural environment from human influences. Recreation management is designed to provide the most primitive and natural setting possible. Access to the area is limited to roads outside the corridor.

The landscape character would be natural evolving with natural evolution of biophysical features and processes, with very limited human intervention. Natural change would be assumed to be visually acceptable and no active management would be directed at moderating visual contrasts. Only the linear swath of the river breaks the continuous forest canopy. Human-caused change may be specifically mitigated to be made less obvious. The SIO of Very High generally provides for ecological change only.

No visitor information would be provided within the wild and scenic river corridor to create any specific expectation of amenities. Signs are very limited. Trailheads are located near perimeter roads and designed with sensitivity to the river segment’s outstandingly remarkable values. Visitors are expected to be skilled in the outdoors, self-reliant and well prepared. Visitors’ expectations and satisfaction will be monitored. Search and rescue or recovery would not be readily available and permission to use motorized operations would require a case-by-case decision made at a level of authority appropriate to the intensity and duration of the operations.

Only exterior boundary open roads occur. Closed roads for administrative use may occur but are at low to very low density. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Roads outside the wild river corridor itself may occasionally intrude on the sights and sounds within the area. Once in the designated wild river corridor, visitors must rely on their own personal physical abilities and primitive recreation skills. Trails are designed to accommodate use and river access while protecting resources and the river’s outstanding resource values. Signs are designed to complement the natural environment in scale, character, and color. Most visitor information would be provided outside of the wild river corridor at trailheads and through off-site public information and education efforts. Wild river visitors are encouraged to “pack-it-in and pack-it-out” and to “leave no trace.”

There are no wildlife habitat objectives for this prescription. Wildlife habitats are characterized by nearly unbroken tree canopy and old forest. Canopy removal occurs by

3-34 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 natural events on about 2 to 3 percent of area per decade. Forest succession as a result 2.B.1 of natural changes would be gradually moving composition toward more tolerant species RECOMMENDED such as white pine, hemlock, beech, rhododendron, mountain laurel, red maple, WILD RIVER sourwood, and blackgum. Large downed woody material, standing snags, and tree SEGMENTS cavities are on a trend of increase. High-quality early-successional habitat rarely occurs and then usually as a result of a combination of tree mortality followed by wildfire.

Prescribed fire may be used for control of nonnative pests and to create, enhance, or maintain threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species habitat necessary to perpetuate these flora or fauna.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically but not necessarily annually. Data collected would typically be basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the forest. Visitor controls are not normally needed.

Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring monitoring and protection. Priority of heritage resource inventory areas within the recommended Wild and Scenic River prescriptions will focus on known heritage resources, probability of containing significant heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as riverbanks, trails and campsites. Future heritage resource management will be determined during the development of Wild and Scenic river plans.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 2.B.1-001 Private lands adjacent to the river corridor will be high priority for acquisition when such acquisition would improve the manageability of the corridor.

2.B.1-002 Private land trusts within the wild and scenic river corridor will be encouraged.

2.B.1-003 New utility corridors or communication/electronic sites will be discouraged within these areas.

2.B.1-004 Use renewal of special use permits issued prior to designation of the wild and scenic river as an opportunity to strengthen protections for outstandingly remarkable values.

2.B.1-005 Outfitter/guide permits will not be issued until an approved river management plan is in effect following designation.

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2.B.1 Minerals and Geology RECOMMENDED WILD RIVER 2.B.1-006 New mining claims and mineral leases are prohibited within one-quarter SEGMENTS mile of the river.

2.B.1-007 Valid claims will be respected.

2.B.1-008 Do not make mineral materials available for commercial use, personal use, or free use purposes.

Fire Management 2.B.1-009 Natural ignition fires are permitted to play a natural role within parameters identified in an approved fire management prescription.

2.B.1-010 Fire is acceptable if the outstandingly remarkable values of the stream can be protected.

2.B.1-011 Use the minimum amount of ground, vegetation, or stream disturbance that is effective to achieve fire management objectives.

Recreation 2.B.1-012 These areas are to be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings of SPNM. Prohibit all motorized and mechanized use except for emergency operations and administrative use.

2.B.1-013 This area would be closed to OHV use.

2.B.1-014 Horse and pack stock use is confined to designated trails only.

2.B.1-015 Do not develop new bike trails. Existing bike use will be phased out.

Scenery 2.B.1-016 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH VH VH VH VH VH VH Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 2.B.1-017 Subject to valid existing rights or leases, do not allow roads.

Vegetation Management 2.B.1-018 Existing wildlife openings may be maintained but new openings, including food plots, may not be created.

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2.B.2 2.B.2 RECOMMENDED SCENIC RIVER SEGMENTS RECOMMENDED SCENIC RIVER The eligible streams recommended for further study for their suitability for possible SEGMENTS designation of scenic river segments are:

Ocmulgee River One scenic section only Conasauga/Jacks Four sections: wild, scenic, wild, recreational Little River One scenic section only

DESIRED CONDITION Scenic river segments and their surroundings are slightly more developed by humans than their “wild” counterparts. The riverbanks are largely undeveloped with occasional roads or bridges crossing the river, and and there may be designated parking areas and trailheads. Management of the river corridor would be focused on protecting and preserving the natural environment. Recreational management may be designed to accommodate hikers, anglers, boaters, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.

The landscape character could be natural evolving, natural appearing, pastoral, or historic with a High SIO. A visitor may see some evidence of human disturbance depending upon the desired landscape character. Scenic quality is the outstandingly remarkable value for these river segments. The linear swath of the river may break the continuous riparian forest canopy. Occasional gaps may occur in the canopy from the result of natural disturbances. In high SIO areas, activities may only repeat attributes of form, line, color and texture found in the existing landscape character.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife occassionally occur and use of fire, mowing, or grazing may be evident to maintain them as open. In some cases, existing openings may be restored to forest through tree planting and elimination of nonnative species. New permanent wildlife openings are not encountered.

Natural-appearing managed change occurs, but affects a very limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape would be rare.

Visitors enjoy a natural setting, although sights and sounds of human activity and motorized vehicles may be present on system roads. Visitors’ physical abilities and primitive recreation skills can be challenged. The opportunity to encounter other visitors would be low to moderate depending on the location and time of year. Interpretive signs, trails, and facilities are minimal and are primarily for visitor safety, access, and to protect riparian resources. All improvements will be subordinate to the river’s outstanding remarkable values. Most visitor information would be provided outside of the scenic river corridor at trailheads and through off-site public information and education efforts. Scenic river visitors are encouraged to “pack-it-in and pack-it-out” and to “leave no trace.”

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2.B.2 Environmental effects of recovery operations are planned to be minimal and promptly RECOMMENDED rehabilitated. SCENIC RIVER SEGMENTS Facilities are primarily non-structural; for example, roads, trails, tables, tent pads, etc. Structures are uncommon. Access may be possible by passenger car. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. In these areas existing facilities are maintained above a resource protection level but without a strong emphasis on visitor expectations. Capacity of facilities would typically be low and they are rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, are usually in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more amenities.

On the Chattahoochee National Forest, the river corridor is comprised primarily of hardwoods and white pines on slopes, and a mixture of hardwoods and hemlocks along the river’s banks. On the Oconee National Forest, the river corridor is bottomland hardwoods comprised of oaks, sweetgums, blackgums, sycamores and elms. Understory plants provide a lush vegetative understory visible from the river and trails.

Vegetation management is for the purpose of enhancing the outstandingly remarkable values of the area such as trail clearing, prescribed fire, removal of nonnative invasive plant species, ecological community restoration and forest health.

These areas will be characterized by mid- to late-successional forests, with little to no human-caused forest openings. Disturbances would be primarily caused by natural processes. Many small gaps and occasional large openings of early-successcional forest habitat may be created through natural disturbances.

Management of wildlife/aquatic habitats is for the purpose of enhancing the outstandingly remarkable values of the area such as the improvements of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species habitat; restoration of native vegetative communities; restoration of riparian ecosystems; or control of nonnative invasive vegetation.

There are no wildlife habitat objectives for this prescription. Wildlife habitats are characterized by nearly unbroken tree canopy and old forest. Canopy removal occurs by natural events on about 2 to 3 percent of area per decade. Large downed woody material, standing snags, and tree cavities would be increasing. High-quality, early- successional habitat rarely occurs and then usually as a result of a combination of tree mortality followed by wildfire.

Streams are periodically inventoried and monitored on an individual stream basis to characterize conditions or trends. Streams are protected from adverse effects. Aquatic habitat management activities are allowed to maintain, restore, and enhance aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

3-38 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability 2.B.2 of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the forest. RECOMMENDED SCENIC RIVER Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring SEGMENTS monitoring and protection. Priority of heritage resource inventory areas within the recommended Wild and Scenic River prescriptions will focus on known heritage resources, probability of containing significant heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as riverbanks, trails and campsites. Future heritage resource management will be determined during the development of Wild and Scenic river plans.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 2.B.2-001 Private lands adjacent to the river corridor will be high priority for acquisition when such acquisition would improve the manageability of the corridor.

2.B.2-002 Private land trusts within the wild and scenic river corridor will be encouraged.

2.B.2-003 New utility corridors or communication/electronic sites will be discouraged within these corridors.

2.B.2-004 Use renewal of special use permits issued prior to designation of the wild and scenic river as an opportunity to strengthen protections for outstandingly remarkable values.

2.B.2-005 Outfitter/guide permits will not be issued until an approved management plan is in effect.

Minerals and Geology 2.B.2-006 Personal use mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect the scenic character may be permitted.

Fire Management 2.B.2-007 Natural ignition fires are permitted to play a natural role within parameters identified in an approved fire management prescription.

2.B.2-008 Fire can be used if the outstandingly remarkable values of the stream can be protected.

Recreation 2.B.2-009 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed the ROS setting of SPM.

2.B.2-010 This area is closed to OHV use.

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2.B.2 RECOMMENDED Scenery SCENIC RIVER 2.B.2-011 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following SEGMENTS Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H H H H H H Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 2.B.2-012 Existing roads are allowed.

2.B.2-013 New road construction is allowed to provide access for recreation, administrative use, or emergency operations consistent with the outstandingly remarkable values of the area.

2.B.2-014 Decommission roads causing environmental damage, or degrading desired landscape character or scenic integrity, or to manage visitor use and access. Administratively close roads if possible.

Vegetation Management 2.B.2-015 Existing wildlife openings may be maintained but new ones may not be created.

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2.B.3 2.B.3 RECOMMENDED RECREATIONAL RIVER RECOMMENDED RECREATIONAL SEGMENTS RIVER SEGMENTS The eligible streams recommended for further study for their suitability for possible designation of recreational river segments are:

Conasauga/Jacks Four sections: wild, scenic, wild, recreational Chattahoochee River Four sections: wild, recreational, wild, recreational

DESIRED CONDITION The recreational river corridor provides river-oriented recreation in an attractive natural setting. The river is readily accessible by roads and trails. Roads may parallel the river for stretches.

The landscape character will be natural appearing, including cultural features and processes. There is evidence of human activity along the rivers. Visitors enjoy a natural appearing setting with a range of human-made recreational developments. Utility, roads or railroad corridors may be seen. Facilities remain visually subordinate to the natural landscape. Scenic Integrity Objectives will range from High to Moderate. In High SIO areas, activities may only repeat attributes of form, line, color and texture found in the existing landscape character. In Moderate SIO areas, the valued landscape character appear slightly altered.

Natural-appearing managed change occurs but affects a very limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time.

Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change. There is a low need for visitors to rely on their physical abilities and primitive recreation skills within these areas. The sights and sounds of other visitors are evident, and opportunities to encounter other visitors are high. Non-motorized trails may be highly developed, including hardened trails for a high level of accessibility for persons with all levels of abilities. Improvements will be subordinate to the river’s outstandingly remarkable values. Recreational river visitors are encouraged to “pack it in and pack it out” and to “leave no trace.” Regulations are necessary to protect resources and visitors.

Facilities may include parking areas, trailheads, bulletin boards, interpretive kiosks, signs, restrooms, canoe/raft launches, fishing platforms, picnic sites, etc. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

Trash receptacles are provided at parking areas and high-use areas. Facilities are designed to fit the character of the specific sites where they are located. The recreational opportunities are in a roaded natural setting.

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2.B.3 at private businesses. Visitor satisfaction and expectations are routinely monitored on- RECOMMENDED site with voluntary response cards and personal contacts. Search, rescue, and recovery RECREATIONAL operations are available quickly and motorized operations are not constrained by Plan RIVER direction. SEGMENTS Vegetation is influenced both by natural processes and humans. Prescribed fire, commercial timber harvest, and noncommercial felling of trees may be used for scenic enhancement or rehabilitation to provide wildlife-viewing or wildlife-hunting opportunities; maintain developed recreation facilities; improve threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species habitat; restore native vegetative communities; restore riparian ecosystems; reduce unnatural fuel buildups; or control nonnative invasive vegetation. Mature forests and older stands in various stages of climax canopy development and decline dominate habitat conditions.

Management of wildlife/aquatic habitats is for the purpose of enhancing the outstandingly remarkable values of the area. Management activities would include efforts to enhance the fisheries resource, restore native vegetative communities, restore riparian ecosystems, or control nonnative invasive vegetation.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife as well as newly-created ones may be encountered infrequently. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Streams are periodically inventoried and monitored on an individual stream basis to characterize conditions or trends. Streams are protected from adverse effects. Aquatic habitat management activities are allowed to maintain, restore and enhance aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 2.B.3-001 Use renewal of special use permits issued prior to designation of the wild and scenic river as an opportunity to strengthen protections for outstandingly remarkable values.

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2.B.3-002 Other special uses, like outfitter/guide permits will not be issued until an 2.B.3 approved Wild and Scenic River Management Plan is in effect. RECOMMENDED RECREATIONAL 2.B.3-003 New utility corridors or communiction/electronic sites will be RIVER discouraged wthin these corridors. SEGMENTS

Geology and Minerals 2.B.3-004 Personal use mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect the scenic character may be permitted.

Fire Management 2.B.3-005 Natural ignition fires are permitted to play a natural role within parameters identified in an approved fire management prescription.

2.B.3-006 Fire can be used if the outstandingly remarkable values of the stream can be protected.

Recreation 2.B.3-007 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed the ROS setting of Roaded Natural.

2.B.3-008 Do not authorize new designated OHV trails. Allow OHV only on existing designated trails or open roads in the river corridor.

Scenery 2.B.3-009 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H M M M M M Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 2.B.3-010 New road construction is allowed to provide recreational access, administrative use, or emergency operations consistent with the outstandingly remarkable values of the area.

2.B.3-011 Decommission roads causing environmental damage, or degrading desired landscape character or scenic integrity, or to manage visitor use and access. Administratively close roads as necessary.

2.B.3-012 Existing wildlife openings are maintained and new ones may be created.

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3 OTHER 3 OTHER CONGRESSIONALLY-DESIGNATED OR CONGRESSIONALLY- DESIGNATED OR RECOMMENDED AREAS RECOMMENDED AREAS

3.A 3.A COOSA BALD NATIONAL SCENIC AREA COOSA BALD NATIONAL SCENIC AREA EMPHASIS National Scenic Areas are managed to protect and enhance the outstanding natural beauty, special ecological features, watershed integrity, mature forest habitat, scenic recreation opportunities, and other distinctive values for which Congress designates them, including managing for species viability as appropriate. Forest health is maintained to protect the values for which the area was established, including scenery and recreation.

DESIRED CONDITION The landscape character is natural appearing with an intact, continuous forest canopy. Occasional gaps may occur in the canopy from the results of natural disturbances or management activities needed for wildlife species viability. Old-growth forest communities become part of the area over time. Understory vegetation includes a variety of native deciduous and evergreen flowering shrubs and wildflowers.

This area is managed with a focus on scenic values. In High SIO areas, activities may only repeat attributes of form, line, color and texture found in the existing landscape character.

Natural appearing managed change occurs, but affects a very limited area. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is rare.

Hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails may be present in the prescription area. Visitors enjoy primarily a natural setting; however, visitors are not isolated from sights and sounds of other human activity. The opportunity to encounter other visitors is high at parking areas, pullouts, and overlooks, but may be from moderate to low on trails away from concentrated use areas. Some trails may be highly developed, including hardened trails for accessibility to persons with all levels of abilities.

Visitors are informed through a variety of media and materials, as well as a limited number and kind of outlets, to expect basic amenities. Acquiring the most complete and current information typically requires contacting a Forest Service employee or visiting a Forest Service office. Basic information is available at visitor information outlets in and near the Forest. Signs permit navigation with minimal concern or confusion. Visitors are not expected to be very self-reliant and supplies or services are usually available nearby at private businesses. Visitor satisfaction and expectations are routinely monitored on- site with voluntary response cards and personal contacts. Search, rescue, and recovery operations are available quickly and motorized operations are not constrained by Plan direction.

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Facilities include a mix of structural and non-structural types. Access is by all-weather 3.A roads that are passable by passenger car and may be paved. Roads are well located, COOSA BALD stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods NATIONAL appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system roads density SCENIC AREA remains at a low level in comparison with the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. In these areas, existing facilities are well- maintained and new facilities are provided with strong safeguards for the quality of the recreation experience and environmental values. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is incrementally changed in response to visitor demand and expectations, but facilities on private lands are not duplicated. Facilities may be staffed during daylight hours during the entire recreation season and, where camping is available, a contact person may be available twenty-four hours a day in season on a volunteer, partnership or similar basis. Security is primarily on a routine patrol basis.

Vegetation manipulation may be used for scenic enhancement, such as the creation of vistas and parklike effects, enhancing fall color species, and limbing up trees. Management activities could create openings for viewing wildlife, maintaining developed recreation facilities, or providing habitat to contribute to species viability with a focus on, but not limited to, threatened, endangered, sensitive, or locally rare species habitat Uneven-aged forest communities will develop throughout the area including large, medium, and small patches of old-growth forest communities.

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized interior openings of 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease-killed groups up to several acres, infrequent timber harvest units of approximately 30 acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- successional forest conditions. High elevation early succession habitats will be provided for species dependent on that habitat association.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained. The creation or expansion of wildlife openings may occur. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Streams and water bodies are periodically inventoried and monitored on an individual stream basis to characterize conditions or trends. Streams and water bodies are protected from adverse effects. Aquatic habitat management activities are allowed to maintain, restore and enhance aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

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3.A Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring COOSA BALD monitoring and protection. Priority of heritage resource inventory areas within the scenic NATIONAL SCENIC designation will focus on known heritage resources, probability of containing significant AREA heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as trails and campsites.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-3.A-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forest acres in late-successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early- successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 3.A-001 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas.

Minerals and Geology 3.A-002 Federal mineral leases and mineral material authorizations will be handled according to the designating legislation, which states that the Scenic Area is withdrawn from operation of all laws pertaining to mineral leasing (Public Law 102-217, Section 3 (b)(5)).

Vegetation and Forest Health 3.A-003 insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources provided that pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem.

3.A-004 Trees may be cut and removed to reduce hazards to visitors, or for safety or legal reasons.

3.A-005 Hazard trees will be cut and removed in both dispersed and developed recreation settings and along trails and roads as necessary.

Fire Management 3.A-006 Prescribed fire may be utilized for the benefit of the purpose of forest health, hazard reduction, and wildlife management.

Recreation 3.A-007 Area will be managed to meet or exceed ROS setting SPNM

3.A-008 This area is closed to OHV use.

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Scenery 3.A 3.A-009 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following COOSA BALD Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class. NATIONAL SCENIC AREA Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H H H H H H Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access

3.A-010 System roads may be constructed within the area to further the purposes for which the area was established, but total system road density remains at a low level in comparison with the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

Timber Management 3.A-011 These lands are classified under the NFMA as unsuitable for timber production; withdrawn by Congress, however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted by NFMA. Designating legislation for this area would require that the ‘other multiple use values’ and ‘plan goals and objectives’ be only those consistent with the purposes for which the Coosa Bald Scenic Area was established.

Successional Stage Management 3.A-012 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early-successional forest creation.

3.A.-013 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, patches of early- successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain large blocks of late-successional forest.

Wildlife Openings 3.A-014 Wildlife openings that existed prior to Congressional designation may be maintained.

3.A-015 New wildlife openings may be created to further the purposes for which the area was established.

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3.B 3.B EXPERIMENTAL FORESTS EXPERIMENTAL FORESTS This prescription includes two Chief-designated Experimental Forests, both on the Oconee National Forest.

The Hitchiti Experimental Forest in Jones County was formed by proclamation of President Roosevelt on December 7, 1937, and made part of the Oconee NF on September 18, 1964. It is currently managed day-to-day by the Georgia Forestry Commission through an agreement between the GFC and the Forest Service as the Ernst Brender Demonstration Forest. Technically, administrative oversight is by the USFS Southern Forest Experiment Station in Asheville, NC through the project leader of the USFS Forestry Sciences Laboratory on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.

The Scull Shoals Experimental Forest in Greene County was formed by proclamation by the Acting Chief of the Forest Service in December 1961. In the establishment record, Scull Shoals Indian Mounds, Scull Shoals Mill Village, and a 300-foot wide area along the Oconee River were excepted from the designation. Day-to-day administration is by the Oconee Ranger District personnel, but responsibility is shared with the USFS Southern Forest Experiment Station in Asheville, NC through the project leader of the USFS Forestry Sciences Laboratory on the campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.

EMPHASIS Experimental forests are managed in accordance with the purpose for which the Forest was established. Lands are dedicated to experimentation and education by implementing national and international research programs with the primary purpose of producing scientific information useful to public and private sector management of the represented ecosystems. An operational situation of minimal constraint on activities carried out for that purpose is desired. Except for required legal compliances, research needs normally receive deference in the event of resource effects conflicts.

DESIRED CONDITION Tree species composition will vary within the experimental forest. Areas of active management and research activities may be obvious. The landscape character is natural appearing, however the SIO could vary from High (appears intact) to Moderate (appears slightly altered) to Low (appears moderately altered) to Very Low (appears heavily altered), depending on the scenic class. Research may occassionally use high contrasts of form, line, color, or texture in data collection, such as remote data collection instrumentation for a limited duration. Natural appearing managed change occurs, but affects a limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Nonnative invasive plants will be controlled. Forest health activities are applied when necessary.

Management is constrained to remain compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. The recreation use emphasis is on dispersed activities such as hunting, fishing, canoeing, or hiking. Localized development facilitates those uses.

General forest visitors are typically encouraged to visit and learn of the ongoing research and its potential benefits unless that would compromise the validity of research. Local access, especially low standard dead-end roads are typically closed to public traffic. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system

3-48 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 road density may exceed the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. Human activities may be evident in some places. Organized group 3.B tours, field demonstrations, and self-guided tours may be available. Visitors will likely see EXPERIMENTAL other people in the parts of these areas with motorized access. Trail and access FORESTS emphasis will depend on the specific conditions of each area. Visitor satisfaction is monitored routinely. Search, rescue, and recovery operations are available quickly and motorized operations are not constrained by Plan direction.

These areas will be characterized by 60 to 80 percent or more of the forest cover being mid- and late-successional forests with a relatively low percentage of acreage old enough for potential old growth. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old occur on up to 10 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Early-successional forest patches vary in size, but many are 20 to 30 acres and sometimes larger to provide optimal conditions for dependent species.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife occur, kept open by mowing, grazing, or burning and occassional newly-created openings are also encountered. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Management and/or protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. Response to managed change is typically compared to historic or pre-treatment data for the same site. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

The majority of the Oconee National Forest’s existing Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) cluster sites are located on the Hitchiti Experimental Forest. Management direction as provided in the Recovery Plan for this Federally-listed endangered species emphasizes management where the species occurs. Management will continue to maintain and enhance RCW populations until recovery objectives are met.

OBJECTIVES OBJ-3.B-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in mid- to late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 20 percent of forest acres in late-successional forest, including old growth; and 4 to 10 percent per decade in early- successional forest.

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3.B OBJ-3.B-02 Thin an annual average of 1,000 acres of pine cover type over the first EXPERIMENTAL seven years of Plan implementation. FORESTS OBJ-3.B-03 Annually coordinate the management of the Experimental Forests between the Southern Forest Experiment Station through the Forestry Sciences Lab, the Oconee Ranger District, and the Georgia Forestry Commission.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 3.B-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 3.B-002 Federal mineral leases may be permitted and mineral material authorizations may be allowed, if compatible with the purposes for which the experimental forest was established.

Vegetation and Forest Health 3.B-003 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, or for safety or legal reasons.

3.B-004 Recognize that beyond 60 years high hazard littleleaf soils are incapable of supporting sustainable high-quality RCW nesting habitat and reforest to loblolly or shortleaf pine only if necessary to meet RCW foraging habitat requirements.

Facilities, Roads, and Access 3.B-005 System roads may be constructed within the area and total system road density may exceed the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

Fire Management 3.B-006 Temporary use road construction will be permitted, if existing roads are not available for fire suppression activities.

Recreation 3.B-007 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings of RN1, RN2, and Pastoral.

3.B-008 Existing four-wheel-drive roads and existing connecting trails to ATV and motorcycle routes may be allowed if compatible with the purposes for which the experimental forest was established.

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Scenery 3.B EXPERIMENTAL 3.B-009 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following FORESTS Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M L L L VL VL Objectives

Timber Management 3.B-010 The Hitchiti Experimental Forest is classified as unsuitable for timber production, withdrawn by the Chief of the Forest Service.

3.B-011 The Scull Shoals Experimental Forest is classified as suitable for timber production.

Successional Stage Management 3.B-012 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 10 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early-successional forest creation.

3.B-013 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Protection 3.B-014 On that portion of the Oconee National Forest south of Interstate 20, the requirements of the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service January 2003 RCW Recovery Plan and its amendments must be complied with in each management prescription.

3.B-015 Use only two-aged or uneven aged silvicultural systems to regenerate RCW habitat, where native pine (not off-site pine species) forests are present.

3.B-016 Due to high risk of Southern Pine Beetle and littleleaf disease, an 80- year rotation will be used in loblolly and shortleaf pine types.

3.B-017 When the eighty-year rotation option in used, up to 40 square feet of basal area must be retained depending on management intensity level (MIL) status.

3.B-018 Limit regeneration areas in native (not off-site pine species) pine and pine-hardwood stands to 25 acres maximum size in MIL 3 and 4; 40- acre maximum in MIL 1 and 2.

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3.B 3.B-019 Use even-aged or two-aged silvicultural systems to restore native pine EXPERIMENTAL species to suitable sites. All existing trees of the desired species shall be FORESTS retained except where distribution is clumped and basal area is >70 square feet. These clumps may be thinned to improve habitat conditions.

3.B-020 Limit regeneration areas in off-site pine and pine-hardwood stands to 80 acres in size. Regeneration will be to restore those species that are determined appropriate for that site.

3.B-021 During silvicultural treatments, retain as first priority old, flat-topped relict trees, potential cavity trees, and scarred old pines.

3.B-022 Where uneven-aged management is used to manage RCW habitat, 20 or more trees per acre of pines at least 14” dbh and 60 years of age are retained within foraging habitat.

3.B-023 Where uneven-aged management is used to manage RCW habitat, in active and recruitment clusters retain 5 or more trees per acre of pines at least 120 years of age for longleaf and shortleaf pine, or 100 years of age for loblolly, slash, or pond pine.

3.B-024 Emphasize restoration of native pine types. Pine can be restored at an accelerated rate in areas more than 1.5 miles from active clusters. The 0 – 10 and 0 – 30 year age classes cannot exceed 15% and 40% respectively over the next 20 years. Foraging habitat for recruitment clusters more than 1.5 miles from an active cluster can be reduced by 50%.

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3.C 3.C ED JENKINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA ED JENKINS NATIONAL This area was orginally designated as the Springer Mountain National Recreation Area in RECREATION Public Law 102-217 on December 11, 1991. The name was changed by Public Law 102- AREA 456 to Ed Jenkins NRA in honor of Congressman Ed Jenkins. The area includes a portion of the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area.

The Lance Creek inventoried roadless area is partially within the EJNRA. This plan provides for the recommendation to Congress of the inclusion of the entire Lance Creek area within the EJNRA.

EMPHASIS The designating legislation states that this area was created to ‘ensure the protection of certain natural, scenic, fish and wildlife, historic and archaeological, wildland and watershed values, and provide for the enhancement of the recreation opportunities associated with these values.’ The designating Act also states that the area shall protect, enhance, and promote the public’s opportunities for primitive and semiprimitive recreation in the area.

DESIRED CONDITION The foreground of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) encompasses a portion of this management prescription. Within the foreground of the A.T., management practices are designed to protect the A.T. experience, preserve and strengthen the role of volunteers and volunteer organizations, provide opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation experiences, and provide for the conservation and enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, and cultural qualities of the land through which the A.T. passes. Activities within the A.T. foreground are planned and carried out in cooperation with the appropriate A.T. management partner(s). See Management Prescription 4.A. for additional management direction applicable to this corridor.

Management is constrained to remain at least compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. The semi- primitive setting is enhanced as opportunities offer and is emphasized more than Roaded Natural. Recreation opportunities may include both dispersed and developed recreational uses, including nonmotorized recreation opportunities in accordance with the NRA management plan. Developed uses are typically peripheral and associated with open through roads. Developed sites have posted Safety Zones in which hunting is prohibited. Areas more remote from roads are protected from shifting to a more developed recreation setting. Visitors will likely see other people in the parts of these areas with motorized access. Management includes monitoring of use impacts and – if necessary – limitations on group size, designation of dispersed camp sites, closure of over-used areas, reservation systems, fees, and other behavior modification techniques to maintain a high-quality recreation experience or to protect T&E species or habitat, cultural resources, soils, or water quality. The trail and access emphasis will depend on the specific conditions of each area. Outdoor skills are of moderate importance to visitors in these areas, except where knowledge of specialized activities such as canoeing, kayaking, or mountain biking is critical.

Visitors are informed through a variety of media and materials, as well as a limited number and kind of outlets, to expect rustic to basic amenities. Recreation information is available at visitor information outlets in and near the NRA. Signs permit navigation with

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3.C minimal concern or confusion. Localized information within the NRA is typically a bulletin ED JENKINS board but may include seasonal on-site volunteers, campground hosts, or law NATIONAL enforcement personnel. Visitors are expected to be somewhat self-reliant but supplies or RECREATION services are usually available nearby at private businesses. Visitor satisfaction and AREA expectations are periodically monitored on-site with voluntary response cards and personal contacts. Search, rescue, and recovery operations are typically available in a matter of hours and motorized operations are not constrained by Plan direction.

The landscape character can range from natural evolving, natural appearing, pastoral, cultural, to historic. The SIO will be High to Very High in Scenic Class 1 and 2 areas, and Moderate in scenic class 3 through 7 areas. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change, but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape will only be in those areas with an SIO of Moderate. The deviations will remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed.

Facilities include a mix of structural and non-structural types. Access to the area is by all- weather roads that are passable by passenger car and may be paved. In these areas, existing facilities are well-maintained and new facilities are provided with strong safeguards for the quality of the recreation experience and environmental values. Access to the interior of the area may be by seasonally open roads that are not always suitable for passenger car. They are typically rock or dirt-rock surface. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is incrementally changed in response to visitor demand and expectations but facilities on private lands are not duplicated. Facilities may be staffed during daylight hours during the entire recreation season and, where camping is available, a contact person may be available twenty-four hours a day in season on a volunteer, partnership or similar basis. Security is primarily on a routine patrol basis.

Habitat associations being emphasized include mid- to late-successional deciduous forest associates and bottomland forest associates. Habitat conditions beneficial to mixed mesic associates and mixed xeric associates (primarily xeric oak and xeric oak-pine habitats) are provided. The area may provide habitat conditions suitable for a mix of species. Management and/or protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species.

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium- and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized interior openings of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease- killed groups up to several acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas up to several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained. The creation of new or expansion of existing wildlife openings may occur. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

3-54 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be 3.C coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. ED JENKINS NATIONAL Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for RECREATION population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, AREA endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring monitoring and protection. The priority of heritage resource inventory areas will focus on known heritage resources, the probability of sites containing significant heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as trails and campsites.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-3.C-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forest acres in late-successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early- successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 3.C-001 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within this area.

Minerals and Geology 3.C-002 Federal mineral leases and mineral material authorizations will be handled according to the designating legislation, which states the lands are withdrawn from the operation of all laws pertaining to mineral leasing.

Vegetation and Forest Health 3.C-003 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources provided that pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem. Preventative actions may also be taken to maintain tree vigor and reduce susceptibility of species in imminent danger of attack, as provided for by the designating legislation.

3.C-004 Salvage is a permitted activity to maintain forest health and new temporary-use road construction may be permitted.

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3.C 3.C-005 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled by cut-and-remove ED JENKINS methods when necessary to protect the values for which the area was NATIONAL established. RECREATION

AREA 3.C-006 Trees may be cut and removed to reduce hazards to visitors, or for safety or legal reasons.

3.C-007 Hazard trees will be cut and removed in both dispersed and developed recreation settings and along trails and roads as necessary.

Recreation 3.C-008 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS setting of SPM, SPNM and Roaded Natural.

3.C-009 OHV use is incompatible with designating legislation and is not permitted.

3.C-010 Within the foreground of the A.T., activities will be planned and carried out in cooperation with the appropriate A.T. management partner(s).

3.C-011 AT approach trails connecting Amicalola Falls State Park with the AT terminus on Springer Mountain and within this prescription will also be managed under management prescription 4.A.

Scenery

3.C-012 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH or H H M M M M M Objectives

Facilities, Roads and Access 3.C-013 Within that portion of the Lance Creek inventoried roadless area within this prescription, no management activity that would result in violating roadless criteria at the scale of the entire roadless area is permitted.

3.C-014 System roads may be constructed within the area but total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

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3.C Timber Management ED JENKINS 3.C-015 These lands are classified under the NFMA as unsuitable for timber NATIONAL production; withdrawn by Congress, however, salvage sales, sales RECREATION necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or activities that meet AREA other Plan goals and objectives are permitted by NFMA. Designating legislation for this area would require that the ‘other multiple use values’ and ‘plan goals and objectives’ be only those consistent with the purposes for which the Coosa Bald Scenic Area was established.

Successional Stage Management 3.C-016 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

3.C-017 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

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3.D PROPOSED 3.D PROPOSED NATIONAL RECREATION AREA (ED NATIONAL JENKINS ADDITION) RECREATION AREA (ED This area has been proposed as an addition to the EJNRA in order to include the entire JENKINS Lance Creek roadless area within the NRA, in part because the Regional Forester does ADDITION) not have the authority to re-allocate any of the NRA.

EMPHASIS This area ensures the protection of the Lance Creek inventoried roadless area and provides for the enhancement of the semi-primitive recreation opportunities associated with the Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area. If these areas are designated as recommended, management will revert to direction under 3.C.

Management is constrained to remain at least compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. The semi- primitive setting is enhanced as opportunities offer and is protected. Recreation opportunities will be dispersed recreation in a near-wilderness setting. The landscape character is natural evolving, or natural appearing. Areas more remote from roads are protected from shifting to a more developed recreation setting. Visitors may see other people infrequently. Management includes monitoring of use impacts and – if necessary –behavior modification techniques to maintain a high-quality recreation experience or to protect T & E species or habitat, cultural resources, soils, or water quality. Outdoor skills such as map reading, land navigation, and self-reliance are important to visitors in this area.

Visitors are informed through a variety of media and materials, as well as a limited number and kind of outlets, to expect rustic amenities. Recreation information is available at visitor information outlets in and near the NRA. Signs permit navigation with minimal concern or confusion. Localized information within the NRA is typically a bulletin board at trailheads. Visitors are expected to be self-reliant and well-prepared Visitor satisfaction and expectations are periodically monitored on-site with voluntary response cards and personal contacts. Search, rescue, and recovery operations are typically available in a matter of several hours. Motorized operations are constrained to maintain roadless character.

The landscape character is natural evolving or natural appearing. The SIO will be High to Very High in Scenic Class 1 and 2 areas, and Moderate in scenic class 3 through 7 areas. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual

3-58 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 contrasts of natural change, but obvious evidence of human intervention in the 3.D appearance of the landscape will only be in those areas with an SIO of Moderate. The PROPOSED deviations will remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed. NATIONAL RECREATION Facilities are non-structural. Motorized access is only to the periphery of the area and AREA (ED may not be suitable for passenger cars or use in all weather. Security at trailheads or JENKINS associated developed recreation settings is typically on a routine patrol basis but security ADDITION) in the interior of the area is limited..

Habitat associations being emphasized include mid- to late-successional deciduous forest associates. Habitat conditions beneficial to mixed mesic associates and mixed xeric associates (primarily xeric oak and xeric oak-pine habitats) are also provided. The area may provide habitat conditions suitable for a mix of species. Management and/or protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species.

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium- and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized interior openings of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease- killed groups up to several acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas up to several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained. The creation of new openings or the expansion of existing wildlife openings may also occur. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

The SIO will be High to Very High in Scenic Class 1 and 2 areas, and Moderate in scenic class 3 through 7 areas. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre- treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change, but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape will only be in those areas with an SIO of Moderate. The deviations will remain visually subordinate to the landscape character being viewed.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

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3.D Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring PROPOSED monitoring and protection. The priority of heritage resource inventory areas will focus on NATIONAL known heritage resources, the probability of sites containing significant heritage RECREATION resources, and areas of popular use such as trails and campsites. AREA (ED

JENKINS ADDITION) OBJECTIVE OBJ-3.D-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forest acres in late-successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early- successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 3.D-001 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within this area.

Minerals and Geology 3.D-002 Federal mineral leases and mineral material authorizations will be handled according to the EJNRA designating legislation, which states the lands are withdrawn from the operation of all laws pertaining to mineral leasing.

Vegetation and Forest Health 3.D-003 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was recognized, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources provided that pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem. Preventative actions may be taken to maintain tree vigor and reduce susceptibility of species in imminent danger of attack, as provided for by the designating legislation.

3.D-004 Salvage is a permitted activity to maintain forest health and new temporary-use road construction may be permitted.

3.D-005 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled by cut-and-remove methods when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established.

3.D-006 Trees may be cut and removed to reduce hazards to visitors, or for safety or legal reasons.

3.D-007 Hazard trees will be cut and removed in both dispersed and developed recreation settings and along trails and roads as necessary.

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Recreation 3.D PROPOSED 3.D-008 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS setting of SPM or SPNM. NATIONAL RECREATION 3.D-009 OHV use is prohibited. AREA (ED JENKINS 3.D-010 Within the foreground of the A.T., activities will be planned and carried ADDITION) out in cooperation with the appropriate A.T. management partner(s). Scenery 3.D-011 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH or H H M M M M M Objectives

Facilities, Roads and Access 3.D-012 Management actions will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of the entire Lance Creek inventoried roadless area.

Timber Management 3.D-013 These lands are classified as unsuitable for timber production; not appropriate, however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or activities that meet the purposes for which the EJNRA was designated are permitted provided roadless criteria are not violated.

Successional Stage Management 3.D-014 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

3.D-015 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

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4.A APPALACHIAN 4.A APPALACHIAN NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL CORRIDOR CORRIDOR This prescription area consists of those lands mapped as the foreground area visible from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) footpath, the Springer Mountain Approach Trail within the Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area, and—as designated on a case-by-case basis—associated trail shelters, overnight use sites, viewpoints, water sources and spur trails. The corridor encompasses approximately 16,000 acres (77.5 miles in length) on the Chattahoochee National Forest. Approximately 13 associated shelters and designated overnight-use sites lie within the Forest on the Toccoa, Brasstown, Chattooga, and Tallulah Ranger Districts.

Additional management direction for the management of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail can be found in:

• Service Directives (FSM, FSH, and supplements) • Appalachian Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance (ATC Stewardship Manual, second edition, 2000) • Appalachian Trail Overnight Use Management Principles • Checklist for the Location, Construction, and Maintenance of Campsites and Shelters on the Appalachian Trail (ATC Stewardship Series, revised 1989) • Local Management Plans for the Applachian Trail • Wilderness Act of 1964, Eastern Wilderness Act of 1975, and specific state Wilderness Acts • Numerous Memoranda of Agreement and Memoranda of Understanding between the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and Appalachian Trail Conference • Implementation Guide for the Appalachian Trail • National Trails System Act (PL 90-543, as amended) • Appalachian Trail Comprehensive Plan • Landscape Aesthetics (Ag Handbook 701)

The A.T. is administered by the Secretary of the Interior in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, and managed as a partnership among the Forest Service, the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC), ATC-affiliated local A.T. clubs and the National Park Service (NPS) A.T. Park Office. Management is in accordance with the National Trails System Act and the A.T. Comprehensive Plan utilizing the cooperative management system.

EMPHASIS Management practices are designed to protect the A.T. experience, preserve and strengthen the role of volunteers and volunteer organizations, provide opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation experiences, and provide for the conservation and enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural and cultural qualities of the land through which the A.T. passes. Lands adjoining the prescription area seen from the A.T. will be managed for multiple use under the provisions of this plan, in a manner which will reasonably harmonize with and be complementary to the A.T. experience.

DESIRED CONDITION The Appalachian Trail is a path way, continuous from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia, traversing the Chattahoochee National Forest for travel on foot

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4.A through the wild, scenic, wooded, pastoral, and culturally significant lands of the APPALACHIAN Appalachian Mountains. The A.T. is usually a simple footpath, purposeful in direction and NATIONAL concept, favoring the heights of land, and located for minimum reliance on construction SCENIC TRAIL for protecting the resource. The body of the Trail is provided by the lands it traverses, and CORRIDOR its soul is in the living stewardship of the volunteers and workers of the A.T. community.

Views from the A.T. are predominantly forested, sporadically intermixed with meadows, old fields, pastoral valleys and cultural landscapes. Occasionally, the A.T. traverses high elevation balds and openings, which afford hikers unique and outstanding views. The A.T. offers a diversity of topography and a variety of vegetation and animal life exposing the hiker to the entire range of land forms, water features, history, and uses of the land that are found along the Appalachian Mountains.

The prescription area consists of those lands mapped as foreground from the A.T. footpath and designated viewpoints, shelters, campsites, water sources, and spur trails linking these features, utilizing the Scenery Management System. The prescription area has a minimum width of 100 feet on either side of the A.T. footpath for protection from social, aural, and other impacts, but this minimum width should be considered only when the foreground zone does not extend beyond 100 feet on either side of the A.T. footpath.

In addition to this prescription area, the A.T. also passes through prescriptions 1.A, 1.B, 3.C, 4.A, and 4.H. Refer to those prescriptions for Desired Condition and Standards for A.T. management.

The southern terminus of the A.T. at Springer Mountain is in the Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area (Mgmt RX 3.C) on the Chattahoochee National Forest. Both the A.T. and the Ed Jenkins NRA are National Congressional designations. The A.T. management prescription is being held to be completely compatible in intent and practice with the purposes for which the Ed Jenkins was created and the A.T. prescription will apply without modification within the NRA.

Facilities include the A.T. footpath itself, shelters approximately one day's hike apart, designated overnight-use sites, privies, trailhead parking areas, and information boards at road crossings. The footpath itself is designed, constructed, and maintained for foot travel only and to wear lightly on the land. Associated structures are in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Recreation management is designed to provide a variety of opportunities in the most primitive and natural recreation setting possible. Careful acquisition and trail design has allowed an appearance of a more primitive setting than the ROS would predict. Trailheads are designed with sensitivity to scale and character to set the tone for a non-motorized experience. Motorized recreation, bicycles, horses and packstock are not allowed on the A.T. footpath, although there are some rare exceptions (see Standards). Roads within one-half mile of the A.T. are managed with hiker security, safety and A.T. values in mind.

Roads, utility transmission corridors, electronic or communication facilities, or signs of mineral development activity exist or may be seen within the prescription area. The goal, however, is to avoid these types of facilities and land uses to the greatest extent possible and blend facilities which cannot be avoided into the landscape so that they remain visually subordinate.

This prescription area retains a natural, forested or pastoral appearance shaped by both natural processes and humans. Management practices are modified to recognize the nationally-significant aesthetic and recreational values of these lands. Low intensity vegetation management is appropriate to maintain the long term goals and stewardship objectives of the A.T. prescription area. Management activities needed to preserve or

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4.A create vistas and desirable open areas are a high priority. Activities are planned and APPALACHIAN carried out in cooperation with the appropriate A.T. management partner(s). NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL This prescription area traverses a range of Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) CORRIDOR classes. Management of the A.T. setting will either be consistent with or complement the Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized ROS class. The linear nature of this prescription area is recognized in determining the ROS class.

OBJECTIVES OBJ-4.A-01 Maintain an Agreement for Sponsored Voluntary Services between each Ranger District and partner Appalachian Trail Club.

STANDARDS

Vegetation and Forest Health 4.A-001 Vegetation in the A.T. prescription area will be managed to enhance the A.T. environment. Allow timber harvest, prescribed burning, wildland fire use, hand tools, power tools, mowing, herbicides, biological controls, and grazing to manage vegetation. Vegetation management activities are limited to: • Maintaining open areas, old field habitats, and vistas that enhance the scenic qualities of the A.T.; • Controlling insects and diseases; • Maintaining or improving threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species habitat; • Maintaining rare communities, species dependant on disturbance, and wildlife viewing opportunities; • Meeting trail construction and maintenance needs, including shelters; • Managing fuels; • Restoring, enhancing, or mimicking historic fire regimes; • Controlling non-native invasive vegetation; and • Providing for public safety or resource protection.

Timber Management 4.A-002 Hauling and skidding within the prescription area will be allowed only if the environmental analysis indicates that this is the only feasible and prudent alternative.

4.A-003 Hauling or skidding along the A.T. footpath or using the footpath for landings or temporary roads is prohibited.

4.A-004 The lands in this prescription area are classified as unsuitable for timber production.

Fire Management 4.A-005 Suppression strategies will strive to minimize impact on A.T. values.

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4.A 4.A-006 Prohibit heavy equipment line construction on the A.T. footpath, unless APPALACHIAN necessary for emergency protection of public property and safety. NATIONAL

SCENIC TRAIL 4.A-007 Implement restorative measures in areas damaged by fire-suppression CORRIDOR efforts after prescribed fire or fire-suppression efforts have ceased.

Recreation 4.A-008 Motorized, horse, pack stock, and bicycle use on the A.T. are prohibited. Exceptions include where the A.T. crosses or is located on open Forest Service system roads; other federal, state, county or other public roads; or as needed for management of the A.T.; or for administrative or emergency purposes.

4.A-009 Other uses within the prescription area, including crossings of the A.T., may be considered following coordination with appropriate A.T. partner(s). Locate any authorized uses crossing the A.T. to minimize impacts to the A.T. environment, preferably where impacts already exist.

4.A-010 Identify the A.T. through standard blazes and signs.

4.A-011 Overnight camping will be allowed, unless prohibited by Forest Supervisor’s order.

4.A-012 Trail shelters, campsites and privies will be located and maintained at locations where there is a demonstrated need for overnight use.

4.A-013 Reconstruct or relocate existing portions of the A.T. as needed to enhance the recreation experience; protect threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species; protect the health of the ecosystem; or protect heritage resources. Such relocations provide a reasonable level of public safety.

4.A-014 Limit additional development to facilities compatible with the A.T.

Scenery 4.A-015 All management activities will meet or exceed a Scenic Integrity Objective of High.

Minerals 4.A-016 The area is available for oil and gas leasing with a “no-surface- occupancy” stipulation. The prescription area is unavailable for other Federal leasable minerals. When existing leases terminate or expire, new leases will be changed to reflect this standard.

Roads 4.A-017 Authorize new roads within the A.T. prescription area only if entering the prescription area is the only feasible and prudent location.

4.A-018 This prescription includes a portion of the Kelly Ridge inventoried roadless area. Management actions will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of the entire inventoried roadless area.

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4.A Lands and Special Uses APPALACHIAN NATIONAL 4.A-019 Authorize recreational special-uses only when they do not adversely SCENIC TRAIL affect A.T. values and resources as described by the A.T. management CORRIDOR prescription. Limit recreation events such as foot races or horseback endurance events to designated crossings only. Only temporary authorizations of one year or less for use of the footpath are allowed due to the probability of changing trail conditions or management needs except for existing permits. Existing permits may be renewed when there is no proposed change in use, or changes in trail conditions or management needs. Permits will not be issued for overnight camping at A.T. shelters or within 300 feet of the footpath.

4.A-020 Issue non-recreational special-use authorizations only where compatible with A.T. management or where there is a demonstrated public need or benefit and where no other reasonable alternatives exist.

4.A-021 Allow agricultural special-use authorizations to maintain open and pastoral spaces.

4.A-022 Do not authorize vendor or peddler permits.

4.A-023 Locate new public utilities and rights-of-way in areas of this management prescription area where major impacts already exist. Limit linear utilities and rights-of-way to a single crossing of the management prescription area, per project.

4.A-024 Require mitigation measures including screening, feathering, and other visual management techniques to mitigate visual and other impacts of new or upgraded utility rights-of-way. Mitigation measures apply to facilities as well as vegetation.

4.A-025 This management prescription area is unsuitable for special-use authorizations for new communication sites and wind generation sites.

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4.B.1 4.B.1 MURDER CREEK RESEARCH NATURAL AREA MURDER CREEK RESEARCH The research natural area designation is an agency program that pre-dates the Eastern NATURAL AREA Wilderness Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, or the Endangered Species Act which now accomplishes similar goals. Research Natural Areas are areas set aside by the Chief of the Forest Service as representatives of specific ecosystems. They were set aside for study of natural ecological processes as distinct from Experimental Forests which were to develop and test management practices.

EMPHASIS The management emphasis would be on scientific research to identify the existing conditions and serve as a baseline to compare what could happen in other forest environments.

DESIRED CONDITION The research natural area (RNA) and its ecosystems furnish ecological information of value to the Forest Service and society at large. The area continues to be representative of Piedmont bottomland hardwoods.

The landscape character is natural-evolving. Natural change is assumed to be visually acceptable and no active management is directed at moderating visual contrasts. Evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is minimal and will normally be overlooked by most visitors unless specific research equipment is being used that is highly visible. Human-caused change may be specifically mitigated to be made less obvious.

Visitors to the area would experience a natural appearing area, as the primary uses of the area are information collection for scientific research and supervised environmental education. Other compatible use, such as individual nature study, photography, or day hiking, are permissible, unless the use threatens the ecological integrity of the area or the integrity of studies and therefore, its value as a research natural area representative of an important ecosystem. Response of plants and animals to ecological change is typically compared to historic data for the same site and long-term stability in management is desireable. Infrastructure development, such as trails or parking areas, would be constructed only after the involvement of Forest Service research on the need for the project, its compatibility with the areas purpose, and the most appropriate methods for development.

No visitor information is provided to create any specific expectation of amenities. Signs are very limited. Visitors are expected to be rather skilled in the outdoors, self-reliant and well prepared. Visitors expectations and satisfaction will be monitored.

Facilities are typically administrative roads and trails. Existing facilities are maintained in serviceable condition with the emphasis on resource protection. They are not improved beyond their original design. In these areas no new facilities are provided. Access may be restricted to foot travel only, or roads may be open only seasonally. Roads may require high-clearance vehicles. Recreation uses are mostly dispersed, such as hunting and fishing.

Natural processes are the primary influence on vegetation. Predominately late- successional forest communities will develop throughout the area, with canopy gaps and

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4.B.1 occasional large openings created by natural disturbance. Invasive nonnative species MURDER occur only as transients and can be eradicated where feasible. CREEK RESEARCH Existing old fields and openings for wildlife are not maintained, but are allowed to NATURAL succeed to forest. In some cases, existing openings may be obliterated through tree AREA planting and elimination of nonnative species. New permanent wildlife openings are not created. Native vegetation response or restoration studies may create openings if needed.

This area will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests, with little to no human-caused forest openings. Natural processes such as ice storms or windstorms, insects, diseases, and lightening fires are the primary influences to vegetation. These processes will periodically remove the canopy and result in large and small areas of young and small trees. The average aggregate area affected will be within the range of approximately 2 percent to 3 percent per decade at a landscape scale of tens of thousands of acres or more and therefore could be less within this smaller area. The range of canopy breaks includes the common occurrence of small gaps created by individual tree mortality, to frequent insect or disease-killed groups up to approximately one hundred acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

The protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species.

There are no wildlife habitat objectives for this prescription. Wildlife habitats are characterized by nearly unbroken tree canopy and old forest. Canopy removal occurs by natural events on about 2 to 3 percent of area per decade. Forest succession as a result of natural changes is gradually moving composition toward more tolerant species. Large downed woody material, standing snags, and tree cavities are on a trend of increase. High-quality early-successional habitat rarely occurs, and then usually as a result of a combination of tree mortality followed by wildfire.

Streams and water bodies are not managed except in cases where aquatic systems need protection or restoration. Examples include an invasion of a nonnative aquatic organism or natural events such as floods, tree mortality, blow-down, or excessive soil loss. Streams or water bodies are not regularly inventoried or monitored, unless needed on a sample basis for an overall monitoring program to improve the characterization of larger scale conditions or trends, or if a known T&E species occurs. Water-related studies are one of the benefits of the area such as stream dynamics in Piedmont streams and riparian areas.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

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OBJECTIVES 4.B.1 MURDER CREEK OBJ-4.B.1-01 Annually coordinate the management of the Murder Creek Research RESEARCH Natural Area between the Southern Forest Experiment Station through NATURAL the Forestry Sciences Lab and the Oconee Ranger District. AREA

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 4.B.1-001 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas. Other special uses are authorized if consistent and compatible with the goals and objectives of the area.

Minerals and Geology 4.B.1-002 Using a no-surface occupancy stipulation, Federal mineral leases may be permitted if compatible with the purposes for which the RNA was established.

4.B.1-003 Mineral material authorizations would not be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 4.B.1-004 Specimen collection is not allowed unless authorized.

4.B.1-005 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources provided that pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem.

Fire Management 4.B.1-006 Use the minimum amount of ground, vegetation, or stream disturbance that is effective to achieve fire management objectives.

4.B.1-007 Use of handtools for wildfire suppression is preferred, if effective.

4.B.1-008 Coordination is required with the Athens Forestry Sciences Lab or the Southern Experiment Station when planning a prescribed burn project within the RNA.

Recreation 4.B.1-009 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed an ROS setting of SPNM.

4.B.1-010 This area is closed to OHV use.

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4.B.1 MURDER Scenery CREEK 4.B.1-011 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following RESEARCH Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class. NATURAL AREA Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH VH VH NA NA NA NA Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 4.B.1-012 Do not construct new open interior roads.

Timber Management 4.B.1-013 This area is classified as unsuitable for timber production, withdrawn by the Chief of the Forest Service.

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4.D 4.D BOTANICAL - ZOOLOGICAL AREAS BOTANICAL – ZOOLOGICAL AREAS

EMPHASIS These lands serve as a network of core areas for conservation of significant elements of biological diversity. They are for the purpose of; (a) perpetuating or increasing the numbers of existing individual plant or animal species that are of national, regional, or state significance as identified on TES lists; and/or (b) to perpetuate plant and animal communities that are unique on National Forest at the scale of their ecological section or subsection unit but not rare at regional scale.

DESIRED CONDITION Desired conditions include the following at each site: (1) protection of threatened, endangered, sensitive, or locally rare species from human taking or human-caused detrimental habitat changes; (2) viable and increasing populations of threatened, endangered, sensitive, or locally rare species; and (3) ecosystems functioning primarily with natural change.

These sites can be nominated for placement on natural area registries maintained by the state chapters of The Nature Conservancy. These voluntary agreements recognize that protection and management of natural areas support rare species and significant natural communities. Ideally, natural processes within these areas proceed unencumbered; however, in some cases, the prevailing environmental conditions have changed to prevent, or at least hinder, natural processes.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife are not maintained, but are allowed to succeed to forest. In some cases, existing openings may be obliterated through tree planting and elimination of nonnative species. New permanent wildlife openings are not created.

The landscape character ranges from natural evolving to natural appearing. Natural processes appear to be the only agents of change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is minimal, and will normally be overlooked by most visitors. Human-caused change may be specifically mitigated to be made less obvious. Sometimes cultural features are present. The SIO ranges from Very High to Moderate. In the Moderate SIO, the landscape character appears slightly altered, but deviations remain subordinate to the landscape character.

Access is limited to existing roads and trails generally outside the perimeter of the area. Where public access is unrestricted, interpretive information may be available to develop understanding of the importance of protecting the plant and animal communities of the area. New trail sections to link existing trails or for education and interpretation are considered on a case-by-case basis. Recreation opportunities are limited to those activities that do not adversly affect the protected resource and may be stopped when monitoring demonstrates unacceptable change.

Signs are very limited or non-existent. Visitors are expected to be rather skilled in the outdoors, self-reliant and well prepared. Visitors’ expectations and satisfaction will be monitored. Facilities are typically roads and trails, and structures are rare. Where interpretive opportunities or day use recreation has been determined to be acceptable,

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4.D facilities such as boardwalks or observation decks may be infrequently seen. Existing BOTANICAL – facilities are maintained in serviceable condition with the emphasis on resource ZOOLOGICAL protection. They are not improved beyond their original design. In these areas no new AREAS facilities are provided except to further the purposes of this prescription. Access may be restricted to foot travel only, or roads may be open only seasonally. Roads may require high-clearance vehicles. Unneeded roads would be decommissioned.

These areas will be characterized by mid- to late-successional forests, with little to no human-caused forest openings. Many small gaps and occasional large openings of early- successional forest habitat may be created through natural disturbances. Approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover would be mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests, with little to no human-caused forest openings. Natural processes such as ice storms or windstorms, insects, diseases, and lightening fires are the primary influences to vegetation. These processes will periodically remove the canopy and result in large and small areas of young and small trees. The range of canopy breaks includes the common occurrence of small gaps created by individual tree mortality, to frequent insect or disease-killed groups.

All areas will be protected from human-caused detrimental habitat change, the taking of threatened or endangered species, and the collection of living plants or animals unless such collections are for the purpose of achieving the stated management goals.

There are no wildlife habitat objectives for this prescription. Wildlife habitats are characterized by nearly unbroken tree canopy and old forest. Forest succession as a result of natural changes is gradually moving composition toward more tolerant species such as white pine, hemlock, beech, rhododendron, mountain laurel, red maple, sourwood, hornbeam and blackgum. Large downed woody material, standing snags, and tree cavities are on a trend of increase. High-quality early-successional habitat rarely occurs and then usually as a result of a combination of tree mortality followed by wildfire.

Surveys of proposed, endangered, and threatened species are conducted periodically for population health, and trends. Data collection may be to individual species level and may include spatial distribution data referenced from a recoverable, permanent, geo- referenced marker. Occupied habitats and, where feasible, populations are also geo- referenced as polygons. Active management to maintain habitat or increase the numbers or health of known proposed endangered and threatened populations commonly occurs with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. Where active management is used, formal, quantitative pre-treatment inventory and post-treatment monitoring and reporting is done where study results are needed. Where feasible, managed change is compared both to historic data for the same site and to comparable un-treated control areas in the same time period. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the forest. Translocation of proposed, endangered, and threatened species to these areas infrequently occurs. Research on PETS species, control of nonnative invasive species, and restoration of native ecosystems are high priorities on these areas. There is a high level of collaboration with USFWS, universities, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, sister Forests and others to leverage knowledge and experience. Visitor controls are important and may be rather restrictive.

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STANDARDS 4.D BOTANICAL – ZOOLOGICAL Lands and Special Uses AREAS

4.D-001 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas. Other special uses are authorized if consistent and compatible with the goals and objectives of these areas.

Minerals and Geology 4.D-002 Using stipulations such as no-surface-occupancy and controlled surface use to protect the area, Federal mineral leases may be allowed.

4.D-003 Mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect the area may be permitted.

Vegetation and Forest Health 4.D-004 Specimen collection is not allowed unless authorized.

4.D-005 Insect and disease outbreaks shall be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, or for safety or legal reasons, provided that pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem. Eradication of newly discovered nonnative pests shall occur. Control of established nonnative pests shall occur. Actions need to be consistent with Forest Service policy, Gypsy Moth EIS, and SPB EIS.

Fire Management 4.D-006 Prescribed fire may be used if compatible with the objectives of the area.

4.D-007 Use the minimum amount of ground, vegetation, or stream disturbance that is effective to achieve fire management objectives.

Recreation 4.D-008 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1, RN2, SPM, and SPNM.

4.D-009 This area is closed to OHV, horse and bike use, except on pre-existing routes.

Scenery 4.D-010 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH or H H M M M M M Objectives

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4.D BOTANICAL – Facilities, Roads, and Access ZOOLOGICAL 4.D-011 No new system roads will be constructed. AREAS Timber Management 4.D-012 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production, not appropriate; however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple use values, and activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Protection 4.D-013 On that portion of the Oconee National Forest south of Interstate 20, the requirements of the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service January 2003 RCW Recovery Plan and its amendments must be complied with in each management prescription.

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4.E.1 4.E.1 CULTURAL/HERITAGE AREAS CULTURAL/ HERITAGE AREAS Cultural/heritage areas on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests include:

Chenocetah Mountain Tower Scull Shoals Mound Complex Cox-Mathis House Scull Shoals Mill Village Dug Gap Confederate Breastworks Track Rock Site

EMPHASIS Cultural/Heritage Areas are managed to highlight and protect unique heritage resources for public understanding and appreciation of the influence of human history on the forest ecosystem. The management focus is on protection and interpretation.

DESIRED CONDITION Sites will be preserved and protected as appropriate in accordance with the law. Interpretative opportunities can occur if adequate protection to sites can be achieved. The local landscape may be restored to historic appearance.

These areas are characterized by a variety of forested and nonforested communities, often showing a great deal of human influence. The landscape character could range from natural evolving to historic.

The landscape character is a mixture of natural evolving, natural appearing, historic, pastoral, and cultural landscapes. Historic landscape character expresses valued historic features that represent events and periods of human activity in the landscape. Cultural landscape character expresses built structures and landscape features that display the dominant attitudes and beliefs of specific human cultures. Pastoral landscape character expresses dominant human created pastures, “meadows,” and associated structures, reflecting valued historic land uses and lifestyles. Natural processes are the primary agents of change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural appearing managed change occurs depending on scenic class, but affects a limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low to moderate contrast (slightly altered) and therefore compatible with the SIO. Evidence of human intervention on the appearance of the landscape is infrequent and visually subordinant to the landscape character.

Day-use recreation opportunities focus primarily on public education and interpretation of the cultural/heritage resources. Other appropriate recreational activities include hiking, bird-watching, photography, hunting, and fishing. Visitors do not need to rely heavily on physical abilities or primitive recreation skills in developed areas. The opportunity to encounter other people is high. Visitors may, however, need to rely on their own physical abilities for hiking and fording small streams in the more wooded or remote sites. Reliance on primitive recreation skills is low.

A variety of media and materials are used to provide visitors basic information. Acquiring the most complete and current information typically requires contacting a Forest Service employee or visiting a Forest Service office. Basic information is available at visitor information outlets in and near the Forest. Signs permit navigation with minimal concern or confusion. Visitors are not expected to be very self-reliant, and supplies or services are usually available nearby at private businesses. Visitor satisfaction and expectations are

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4.E.1 periodically monitored on-site with voluntary response cards and personal contacts. CULTURAL/ Search, rescue, and recovery operations are available quickly and motorized operations HERITAGE are not constrained by Plan direction. AREAS Facilities are designed with sensitivity to character, scale, and color in an effort to complement the surroundings at each specific site. Facilities at the more developed sites may include parking areas, trailheads, trails, bulletin boards, and interpretive kiosks or centers as well as infrastructure to support these sites. Trails may be highly developed where appropriate, including hardened trails to provide a high level of accessibility for persons of all abilities. The more remote cultural/heritage sites may have only a nonmotorized hiking or interpretive trail with no additional facilities for visitors’ comfort. New and existing mountain bike and horse trails are analyzed to determine if negative impacts are occurring to the cultural resource, the historic integrity of the site, or interpretation of that resource.

Facilities include a mix of structural and non-structural types. Access is by all-weather roads that are passable by passenger car and may be paved. Existing facilities are well- maintained and new facilities are provided with strong safeguards for the quality of the recreation experience and environmental values. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is incrementally changed in response to visitor demand and expectations without duplicating facilities on private lands. Facilities may be staffed during daylight hours of the entire recreation season. A contact person may be available twenty-four hours a day in season on a volunteer, partnership or similar basis where camping is provided. Security is primarily on a routine patrol basis.

Nonnative invasive plants will be controlled, and storm-damaged as well as hazardous trees will be removed if negative impacts to the cultural resource can be avoided. Where feasible, restore representative areas to a vegetative condition appropriate to the time periods.

There is no quantitative objective for wildlife habitats in this prescription. Wildlife habitats are usually characterized by nearly unbroken tree canopy and old forest. Canopy removal occurs by natural events on about 2 to 3 percent of area per decade. As a result of natural changes, forest succession is gradually moving composition toward more tolerant species such as white pine, hemlock, beech, rhododendron, mountain laurel, red maple, sourwood, hornbeam and blackgum. Large downed woody material, standing snags, and tree cavities are on a trend of increase. High-quality early-successional habitat rarely occurs, and then usually as a result of a combination of tree mortality followed by wildfire.

Existing old fields, herbaceous openings, woodlands, savannas or other historic landscape types may be present and maintained, especially as a feature of a restored historic landscape. Creation of openings as a restored landscape may also occur. Openings are not created primarily for wildlife. Native species are emphasized when establishing vegetation unless used as an interpretitive feature of cultural ecology showing how humans have moved and used plants.

3-76 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known 4.E.1 populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial CULTURAL/ effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability HERITAGE of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest. AREAS

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 4.E.1-001 All heritage resources within the areas will be protected from vandalism and overuse.

4.E.1-002 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas.

Minerals and Geology 4.E.1-003 No mineral activities would be allowed, including ‘rockhounding.’

Vegetation and Forest Health 4.E.1-004 The collection of living plants or animals, and artifacts will be prohibited, unless such collections are for the purpose of achieving the stated management goals.

4.E.1-005 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, or for safety or legal reasons.

4.E.1-006 Eradication of established nonnative pests or plants may be considered.

4.E.1-007 Hazard trees could be felled in areas occupied by humans (i.e., roads and picnic sites).

Recreation 4.E.1-008 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings of RN1, RN2, SPM, and SPNM.

4.E.1-009 These areas would be closed to OHV use.

4.E.1-010 Do not develop new horse trails within the area, and phase out existing horse use, except that horse access to the boundary or to a designated location within the area as part of a larger horse trail system is permissible.

4.E.1-011 Do not develop new bike trails within the area and phase out existing bike use, except that bike access to the boundary or to a designated location within the area as part of a larger bike trail system is permissible.

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4.E.1 Scenery CULTURAL/ HERITAGE 4.E.1-012 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following AREAS Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH or H H M M M M M Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 4.E.1-013 Construction of facilities for support of scientific study, interpretation, or protection are permitted.

Timber Management 4.E.1-014 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production, not appropriate; however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple-use values, and activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

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4.F 4.F SCENIC AREAS SCENIC AREAS

EMPHASIS Scenic areas are managed to protect and enhance the outstanding natural beauty, special ecological features, watershed integrity, mature forest habitat, scenic recreation opportunities, and other distinctive values for which they were selected. Forest health is maintained to protect the values for which the area was established, including scenery and recreation.

These areas are managed with a focus on scenic values. In High SIO areas, activities may only repeat attributes of form, line, color and texture found in the existing landscape character.

Natural appearing managed change occurs, but affects a very limited area. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change, but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is rare.

Hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails may be present in the prescription area. Visitors enjoy primarily a natural setting; however, visitors are not isolated from sights and sounds of other human activity. The opportunity to encounter other visitors is high at parking areas, pullouts, and overlooks, but may be moderate to low on trails away from concentrated use areas. Some trails may be highly developed, including hardened trails for accessibility to persons with all levels of abilities.

Facilities include a mix of structural and non-structural types. Access is by all-weather roads that are passable by passenger car and may be paved. In these areas, existing facilities are well-maintained and new facilities are provided with strong safeguards for the quality of the recreation experience and environmental values. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is incrementally changed in response to

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4.F visitor demand and expectations but facilities on private lands are not duplicated. SCENIC Facilities may be staffed during daylight hours during the entire recreation season and, AREAS where camping is available, a contact person may be available twenty-four hours a day in season on a volunteer, partnership or similar basis. Security is primarily on a routine patrol basis.

Vegetation manipulation may be used for scenic enhancement, such as the creation of vistas, creating parklike effects, enhancing fall color species, and limbing up trees. Enhancement activities could create openings for viewing wildlife, maintaining developed recreation facilities, or providing habitat to contribute to species viability including threatened, endangered, sensitive, or locally rare species habitat Uneven-aged forest communities will develop throughout the area including large, medium, and small patches of old growth forest communities.

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease- killed groups up to several acres, infrequent timber harvest units of approximately 30 acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire

There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- successional forest conditions. High-elevation, early-successional habitats will be provided for species dependent on that habitat association.

Permanent openings are maintained, and the creation or expansion of wildlife openings may occur. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring monitoring and protection. Priority of heritage resource inventory areas within the scenic designation will focus on known heritage resources, probability of the area containing significant heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as trails and campsites.

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OBJECTIVE 4.F SCENIC OBJ-4.F-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 AREAS percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forest acres in late-successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early- successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 4.F-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 4.F-002 Using stipulations such as no-surface-occupancy and controlled surface use to protect the area, Federal mineral leases may be allowed.

4.F-003 Mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect the area may be permitted.

Vegetation and Forest Health 4.F-004 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was allocated, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources.

4.F-005 Trees may be cut and removed to reduce hazards to visitors, or for safety or legal reasons.

4.F-006 Hazard trees will be cut and removed in both dispersed and developed recreation settings and along trails and roads as necessary.

Fire Management 4.F-007 Prescribed fire may be utilized for the benefit of the purpose of forest health, hazard reduction, and wildlife management.

Recreation 4.F-008 Area will be managed to meet or exceed ROS setting of RN1.

4.F-009 This area is closed to OHV use.

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4.F Scenery SCENIC AREAS 4.F-010 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H H H H H H Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 4.F-011 System roads may be constructed within the area but total open system road density remains below the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

Timber Management 4.F-012 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production; not appropriate, however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

Successional Stage Management 4.F-013 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

4.F-014 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, patches of early- successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain large blocks of late-successional forest.

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4.F.1 4.F.1 SCENIC AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS SCENIC AND WILDLIFE These areas have a high scenic integrity objective relative to their surroundings and are MANAGEMENT also with designated Wildlife Management Areas. AREAS

EMPHASIS The management emphasis would be to protect the unique qualities and natural beauty of seen areas while allowing vegetative manipulation for scenery and wildlife habitats.

DESIRED CONDITION The area is managed with a focus on scenic and wildlife values. The landscape is natural appearing with a predominately continuous forest canopy. Gaps may occur in the canopy from the results of natural disturbances or from management activities to provide wildlife openings. Pockets of old-growth forest communities become part of the area over time.

The primary landscape character is natural appearing with natural processes the dominant agents of change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural- appearing managed change occurs, but affects a very limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is rare.

Visitors may enjoy fishing, hunting, scenic driving, photography, wildlife viewing, hiking, or horseback riding. Visitors enjoy a natural setting. However, visitors may encounter sights and sounds of other human activity and motorized vehicles. The opportunity to encounter other visitors is high at parking areas, pullouts, and overlooks, but may be moderate to low on trails away from congregated use areas. At points of highly developed recreational use, visitors take on low risk and are not challenged to rely on their own physical abilities and outdoor skills. Once away from the more developed portions of the scenic area, opportunities for solitude are available, and visitors may take on some risk and be challenged to rely on their own personal physical abilities and primitive recreational skills.

Visitors are informed to expect limited, rustic amenities. Acquiring current information typically requires contacting the Forest Service by phone or visiting a Forest Service office. Signs are few but adequate to guide visitors from state or county roads. Visitors are expected to be rather self-reliant and well prepared. Visitor’s expectations and satisfaction are monitored periodically. Search and rescue is not readily available. When needed, motorized operations are usually constrained by requirements for special case- by-case permissions. Environmental effects of recovery operations are planned to be minimal and promptly rehabilitated.

Facilities are designed to fit the character of the specific sites where they are located. They might include roads, pullouts, overlooks, parking areas, trailheads, bulletin boards, interpretive kiosks, rail fences, signs, rest rooms, and picnic sites. Trails may be developed. Facilities are primarily non-structural; for example, roads, trails, tables, tent pads, etc. Structures are uncommon. Access may be possible by passenger car in good weather, but roads are not designed or maintained for them. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 3-83 CHAPTER 3 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

4.F.1 section. In these areas existing facilities are maintained above a resource protection level SCENIC AND but without a strong emphasis on visitor expectations. Capacity of facilities is typically low WILDLIFE and they are rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, MANAGEMENT are usually in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than AREAS increase capacity. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more amenities.

Vegetation manipulation activities may be used for scenic enhancement or rehabilitation, to maintain wildlife openings, to provide wildlife viewing opportunities, or to maintain developed recreation facilities. Small canopy gaps are created through natural disturbance. Occasional large openings of early successional habitat may be created through natural disturbance. Uneven-aged forest communities will develop throughout the area including large, medium, and small patches of old-growth forest communities.

Natural processes and humans influence vegetation. The mix and types of forest communties will depend on the land type associations in which this prescription is applied.

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, patches of early- successional forest created by natural processes or management actions may be clustered or scattered on the landscape to maintain large blocks of late-successional forest.

There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- successional forested conditions. Management to protect rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species. Habitat for a broad mix of species, including demand species, will also be provided.

Existing old fields may be present and maintained. Permanent wildlife openings are maintained, and the creation or expansion of wildlife openings may occur. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring monitoring and protection. The priority of heritage resource inventory areas within the

3-84 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 scenic prescription will focus on known heritage resources, the probability of sites 4.F.1 containing significant heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as trails and SCENIC AND campsites. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS OBJECTIVE OBJ-4.F.1-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forest acres in late-successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early- successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 4.F.1-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 4.F.1-002 Using stipulations such as no-surface-occupancy and controlled surface use to protect the area, Federal mineral leases may be allowed.

4.F.1-003 Mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect the area may be permitted.

Vegetation and Forest Health 4.F.1-004 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources.

4.F.1-005 Trees may be cut and removed to reduce hazards to visitors, or for safety or legal reasons.

4.F.1-006 Hazard trees will be cut and removed in both dispersed and developed recreation settings and along trails and roads as necessary.

Fire Management 4.F.1-007 Prescribed fire may be utilized for the benefit of the purpose of forest health, hazard reduction, and wildlife management.

Recreation 4.F.1-008 Area will be managed to meet or exceed ROS setting of RN1.

4.F.1-009 Existing routes designated for four-wheel-drive vehicles would be allowed on a case-by-case basis.

4.F.1-010 Existing connecting trails to ATV and motorcycle routes would be allowed on a case-by-case basis. OHV systems are not an emphasis.

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4.F.1 Scenery SCENIC AND WILDLIFE 4.F.1-011 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following MANAGEMENT Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class. AREAS Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H H H H H H Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access

4.F.1-012 System roads may be constructed within the area but total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

4.F.1-013 This prescription includes portions of the Boggs Creek and Miller Creek inventoried roadless areas. Management actions in any one of them will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of each entire inventoried roadless area.

Timber Management 4.F.1-014 The lands in this prescription are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

Successional Stage Management 4.F.1-015 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

4.F.1-016 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, patches of early- successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain large blocks of late-successional forest.

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4.F.2 4.F.2 REGIONAL FORESTER DESIGNATED SCENIC REGIONAL AREAS (PRE-1985) FORESTER DESIGNATED SCENIC AREAS The name of each Regional Forester Designated Scenic Areas on the Chattahoochee- (PRE-1985) Oconee National Forests, their original designation acreage, and the date each was designated are listed below. All these areas are on the Chattahoochee National Forest. Acres allocated with this plan may exceed the original designation.

Name Designated Acres Designation Date Anna Ruby Falls 1,600 January 4, 1964 Coleman River 330 April 12, 1960 Cooper’s Creek 1,200 February 25, 1960 DeSoto Falls 650 February 25, 1963 High Shoals 170 June 17, 1957 Keown Falls 230 November 14, 1962

EMPHASIS Scenic areas designated by the Regional Forester are managed to protect and enhance the outstanding natural beauty, special ecological features, watershed integrity, mature forest habitat, scenic recreation opportunities, and other distinctive values for which they were designated. Forest health is maintained to protect the values for which the area was established, including scenery and recreation.

DESIRED CONDITION The landscape character is natural appearing with an intact, continuous forest canopy. Occasional gaps may occur in the canopy from the results of natural disturbances or management activities needed for wildlife species viability. Old growth forest communities become part of the area over time. Understory vegetation includes a variety of native deciduous and evergreen flowering shrubs and wildflowers.

These areas are managed with a focus on scenic values. In High SIO areas, activities may only repeat attributes of form, line, color and texture found in the existing landscape character.

Natural appearing managed change occurs, but affects a very limited area. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change, but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is rare.

Hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails may be present in the prescription area. Visitors enjoy primarily a natural setting; however, visitors are not isolated from sights and sounds of other human activity. The opportunity to encounter other visitors is high at parking areas, pullouts, and overlooks, but may be moderate to low on trails away from concentrated use areas. Some trails may be highly developed, including hardened trails for accessibility to persons with all levels of abilities.

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4.F.2 near the Forest. Signs permit navigation with minimal concern or confusion. Visitors are REGIONAL not expected to be very self-reliant and supplies or services are usually available nearby FORESTER at private businesses. Visitor satisfaction and expectations are routinely monitored on- DESIGNATED site with voluntary response cards and personal contacts. Search, rescue, and recovery SCENIC AREAS operations are available quickly and motorized operations are not constrained by Plan (PRE-1985) direction.

Facilities include a mix of structural and non-structural types. Access is by all-weather roads that are passable by passenger car and may be paved. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density is at a low level in comparison with the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. In these areas, existing facilities are well-maintained and new facilities are provided with strong safeguards for the quality of the recreation experience and environmental values. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is incrementally changed in response to visitor demand and expectations but facilities on private lands are not duplicated. Facilities may be staffed during daylight hours during the entire recreation season and, where camping is available, a contact person may be available twenty-four hours a day in season on a volunteer, partnership or similar basis. Security is primarily on a routine patrol basis.

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease- killed groups up to several acres, infrequent timber harvest units of approximately 30 acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire

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Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for 4.F.2 population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, REGIONAL endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a FORESTER point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically DESIGNATED basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known SCENIC AREAS populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial (PRE-1985) effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring monitoring and protection. Priority of heritage resource inventory areas within the scenic prescription will focus on known heritage resources, probability of the area containing significant heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as trails and campsites.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-4.F.2-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forest acres in late-successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early- successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 4.F.2-001 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas.

Minerals and Geology 4.F.2-002 Federal mineral leases may be allowed only with a no-surface-occupancy stipulation. No mineral material authorizations are permitted for private or commercial use.

Vegetation and Forest Health 4.F.2-003 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources provided that pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem.

4.F.2-004 Trees may be cut and removed to reduce hazards to visitors, or for safety or legal reasons.

4.F.2-005 Hazard trees will be cut and removed in both dispersed and developed recreation settings and along trails and roads as necessary.

Fire Management 4.F.2-006 Prescribed fire may be utilized for the benefit of the purpose of forest health, hazard reduction, and wildlife management.

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4.F.2 Recreation REGIONAL FORESTER 4.F.2-007 Area will be managed to meet or exceed ROS setting of RN1. DESIGNATED SCENIC AREAS 4.F.2-008 This area is closed to OHV use. (PRE-1985) Scenery 4.F.2-009 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H H H H H H Objectives

Timber Management 4.F.2-010 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production; not appropriate; however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

Successional Stage Management 4.F.2-011 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

4.F.2-012 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, patches of early- successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain large blocks of late-successional forest.

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4.H 4.H FOREST-DESIGNATED OUTSTANDINGLY FOREST- REMARKABLE STREAMS DESIGNATED OUTSTANDINGLY REMARKABLE The following streams (or stream segments) on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National STREAMS Forests are Forest-designated outstandingly remarkable streams:

Broad River – Middle Fork Falling Creek Canada Creek Jack’s River Cedar Creek Moccasin Creek Chattahoochee River Murder Creek Cochran’s Creek Oconee River Coleman River Overflow Creek Conasauga River Panther/Davidson Creeks Cooper Creek Raper Creek/Soquee River Corbin Creek Soquee River – L. Fork Dukes/Dodd/Davis Creeks Tallulah River High Shoals Creek Toccoa River

EMPHASIS River/stream segments and associated corridors are managed to protect and perpetuate their unique values. The recreational opportunities are characteristic of, and in harmony with, the natural setting of the individual river/stream segments. Management is similar to designated or recommended scenic segments of wild and scenic rivers.

The foreground of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) encompasses a portion of this management prescription. Within the foreground of the A.T., management practices are designed to protect the A.T. experience, preserve and strengthen the role of volunteers and volunteer organizations, provide opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation experiences, and provide for the conservation and enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, and cultural qualities of the land through which the A.T. passes. Activities within the A.T. foreground are planned and carried out in cooperation with the appropriate A.T. management partner(s). See Management Prescription 4.A. for additional management direction applicable to this corridor.

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4.H Natural-appearing managed change occurs but affects a very limited area either FOREST- individually or cumulatively at any one time. DESIGNATED OUTSTANDINGLY Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change. There is a REMARKABLE low need for visitors to rely on their physical abilities and primitive recreation skills within STREAMS these areas. The sights and sounds of other visitors are evident, and opportunities to encounter other visitors are high. Non-motorized trails may be highly developed, including hardened trails for a high level of accessibility for persons with all levels of abilities. Improvements will be subordinate to the river’s outstandingly remarkable values. Recreational river visitors are encouraged to “pack it in and pack it out” and to “leave no trace.” Regulations are necessary to protect resources and visitors. Facilities may include parking areas, trailheads, bulletin boards, interpretive kiosks, signs, restrooms, canoe/raft launches, fishing platforms, picnic sites, etc.

Facilities are generally comparable to designated scenic sections of Wild and Scenic Rivers, unless the stream is not eligible for that classification due to factors beyond Forest Service control. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains at a low to average level in comparison with the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. Sediment does not reach streams from road or trail systems.

Vegetation is influenced both by natural processes and humans. Prescribed fire, commercial timber harvest, and noncommercial felling of trees may be used for scenic enhancement or rehabilitation to provide wildlife-viewing or wildlife-hunting opportunities; maintain developed recreation facilities; improve threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species habitat; restore native vegetative communities; restore riparian ecosystems; reduce unnatural fuel buildups; or control nonnative invasive vegetation. Mature forests and older stands in various stages of climax canopy development and decline dominate habitat conditions.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present, maintained, and expanded and new openings may be created. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

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Streams and water bodies are periodically inventoried and monitored on an individual 4.H stream basis to characterize conditions or trends. Streams and water bodies are FOREST- protected from adverse effects. Aquatic habitat management activities are allowed to DESIGNATED maintain, restore and enhance aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of OUTSTANDINGLY native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be REMARKABLE coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. STREAMS

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring monitoring and protection. Priority of heritage resource inventory areas will focus on known heritage resources, probability of containing significant heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as riverbanks, trails, and campsites.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 4.H-001 Use renewal of special use permits as an opportunity to strengthen protections for outstandingly remarkable values.

4.H-002 Other special uses, like outfitter/guide permits will not be issued until an assessment has been made of their potential effect on wild and scenic river system suitability.

4.H-003 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Geology and Minerals

4.H-004 Personal use mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect the scenic character may be permitted.

Vegetation and Forest Health

4.H-005 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the outstandingly remarkable values for which these areas are recognized, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources; provided that, (a) pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms, (b) induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem, and (c) not preclude future consderation for addition to the national wild and scenic river system.

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4.H Fire Management FOREST- DESIGNATED 4.H-006 Natural ignition fires are permitted to play a natural role within OUTSTANDINGLY parameters identified in an approved fire management prescription. REMARKABLE STREAMS 4.H-007 Fire can be used if the outstandingly remarkable values of the stream can be protected. Recreation 4.H-008 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed the ROS setting of Roaded Natural.

4.H-009 Do not authorize new designated OHV trails. Allow OHV only on existing designated trails or open roads in the river corridor.

4.H-010 Within the foreground of the A.T., activities will be planned and carried out in cooperation with the appropriate A.T. management partner(s).

Scenery 4.H-011 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H M M M M M Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 4.H-012 New road construction is allowed to provide recreational access, administrative use, or emergency operations consistent with the outstandingly remarkable values of the area.

4.H-013 Decommission roads causing environmental damage, or degrading desired landscape character or scenic integrity, or to manage visitor use and access. Administratively close roads as necessary.

4.H-014 This prescription includes a portion of the Kelly Ridge inventoried roadless area. Management actions will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of the entire inventoried roadless area.

Timber Management 4.H-015 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable, not appropriate, for timber production; however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect multiple-use values, and activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

4.H-016 On that portion of the Oconee National Forest south of Interstate 20, the requirements of the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service January 2003 RCW Recovery Plan and its amendments must be complied with in each management prescription.

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4.I 4.I NATURAL AREAS - FEW OPEN ROADS NATURAL AREAS – The areas included in this prescription are: FEW OPEN ROADS Rocky Face Overflow Creek Rabun Bald Bill Mountain Rocky Mountain

EMPHASIS Provide recreation opportunities in isolated areas where users can obtain a degree of solitude and the environment can be maintained in a near-natural state. These areas are managed at an overall low management intensity.

DESIRED CONDITION The landscape will appear to be primarily shaped by ecological processes, rather than management activities. The mix and types of forest communties will depend on the landtype associations in which this prescription is applied.

The landscape character is natural evolving or natural appearing with natural processes the agents of change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural change is assumed to be visually acceptable and no active management is directed at moderating visual contrasts. Evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is minimal and will normally be overlooked by most visitors. Human-caused change may be specifically mitigated to be made less obvious.

These areas will provide tracts of relatively remote recreation opportunities where human activities are subordinate to the landscape. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains at a low or very low level in comparison with the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. Visitors will see little evidence of humans or human activities other than remote recreation use, with the exception of the few open roads that provide access. Development of hiking trail systems will be emphasized. Outdoor skills and self- reliance will be important for visitors because of the limited access to these areas. Hiking, nature study, backpacking, orienteering, hunting, and fishing will be typical activities available in a relatively remote setting.

Visitors are informed to expect limited, rustic amenities. Acquiring current information typically requires contacting the Forest Service by phone or visiting a Forest Service office. Signs are few but adequate to guide visitors from state or county roads. Visitors are expected to be rather self-reliant and well prepared. Monitoring of visitor satisfaction and expectations is on a special study or incidental basis. Search and rescue is not readily available. When needed, motorized operations are usually constrained by requirements for special case-by-case permissions except on open roads. Environmental effects of recovery operations are planned to be minimal and promptly rehabilitated.

Predominately late-successional forest communities will develop throughout the area, with canopy gaps and occasional large openings of early successional habitat created by natural disturbance. Old-growth forest communities will increase over the decades, except where significant natural disturbances occur.

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4.I Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained, but no NATURAL expansion of openings or creation of new permanent openings of this type occurs. Native AREAS – species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings FEW OPEN provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles. ROADS

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease- killed groups up to several acres, wildlife openings, and infrequent large contiguous areas up to several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- successional forested conditions. Management and/or protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences for threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species. Habitat for a broad mix of species will also be provided.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-4.I-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in late- successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early-successional forest.

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STANDARDS 4.I NATURAL AREAS – Lands and Special Uses FEW OPEN ROADS 4.I-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals 4.I-002 Using lease terms for environmental protection, Federal mineral leases would be allowed. Mineral material authorizations would be allowed.

Forest Health 4.I-003 Stands may be actively managed to reduce the risks and hazards of damage from native and nonnative invasive pests, while still meeting a high level of scenic integrity. Aggressive tactics should be particularly considered for areas within one tree height of trails.

4.I-004 Indigenous forest pests are kept within acceptable levels through Integrated Pest Management Techniques.

4.I-005 Forest pests not native to the area are minimized through judicious use of controls, silvicultural practices, and timely salvage of damaged trees. Actions need to be consistent with Forest Service policy, and Gypsy Moth EIS.

Recreation 4.I-006 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN2 and SPM.

Scenery 4.I.007 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity VH H M M M M M Objectives

Roads and Facilities 4.I-008 Up to 0.5 miles per entry of temporary-use road can be constructed for management purposes.

4.I-009 Temporary use roads will be closed and rehabilitated following use.

4.I-010 Close and rehabilitate existing roads that do not contribute to the objective of preserving the natural ecosystem and are not needed for administrative purposes.

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4.I 4.I-011 If natural revegetation does not obliterate closed roads, use other NATURAL measures—such as seeding or planting—if conditions warrant. AREAS – FEW OPEN 4.I-012 No new OHV/ATV travel routes will be constructed or designated. ROADS 4.I-013 Existing connecting trails to ATV and motorcycle routes would be allowed on a case-by-case basis. OHV systems are not an emphasis.

4.I-014 This prescription includes portions of the Sarah’s Creek inventoried roadless area. Management actions will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of the entire inventoried roadless area.

Timber Management 4.I-015 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production; not appropriate; however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

Successional Stage Management 4.I-016 Creational of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

4.I-017 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

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5.A 5.A ADMINISTRATIVE SITES ADMINISTRATIVE SITES Administrative sites on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest include the following:

Black Mountain Tower Glassy Mountain Helibase Brasstown Work Center Grassy Mountain Tower Brasstown Ranger District Office* High Point Tower Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery Toccoa Work Center Clayton Work Center Villanow Work Center Cohutta Work Center Yahoola Work Center Georgia DNR Check Stations

*Other Ranger District Offices are in leased commercial buildings not on National Forest System lands.

EMPHASIS The emphasis is to provide administrative sites, work centers, and facilities that effectively and safely serve the public and accommodate the work force.

DESIRED CONDITION The category includes areas such as work centers, lookout towers, and Forest Service owned offices. Sites are managed to support resource programs, and will be maintained to protect capital investment. Administrative sites are accessed by roads.

The character of the landscape could range from natural appearing to urban/cultural. The landscape character is predominately natural-appearing. Managed change is the primary cause of change in the visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is frequent. Management changes are designed to be moderate contrast or less and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management usually does not occur specifically to moderate visual contrasts of natural change.

Forest Service offices and visitor centers provide educational and interpretive opportunities such as exhibits and displays, books, videos, and brochures. Where feasible and appropriate, short hiking trails are provided in association with office and visitor centers.

Visitors are well informed through a variety of media, materials, and outlets to expect comfortable amenities. Navigation to areas is easy and includes signs on Federal, State, or county roads in addition to Forest Service roads. Supplies or services may be provided on-site through concessionaires, or are available close by. Search, rescue, and recovery operations are immediately available and receive unconstrained priority over resource concerns.

Facilities include a diverse mix of structural and non-structural types. Access is by all- weather, generally-paved roads that are passable and safe for passenger vehicles and school buses. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use year-round by the types of vehicles appropriate to public service and business operations. Total system road density may exceed the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

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5.A In these areas, modern, attractive, and well-maintained facilities are provided. Grounds ADMINISTRATIVE may be landscaped with native plant materials. Interpretive services and activities are SITES often provided and may be the major emphasis of individual facilities. Facilities are staffed as appropriate for the site. Sales outlets for Forest Service partners may be available. Security may be available on-site or on an on-call basis.

Protection will be provided for rare communities and species associates, along with the protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species.

Historic facilities will be protected through coordination with the Heritage Resources Program manager prior to any activity that may alter, or otherwise affect the historical integrity of the property.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 5.A-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 5.A-002 Using stipulations, such as no-surface occupancy or other lease terms to protect the area, Federal mineral leases may be allowed.

5.A-003 Mineral material authorizations with conditions to administer the area may be permitted.

Vegetation and Forest Health

5.A-004 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources.

Recreation 5.A-005 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1, Rural, Suburban, and Urban.

5.A-006 Existing four-wheel-drive roads will be allowed on a case-by-case basis.

5.A-007 Existing connecting trails to ATV and motorcycle routes allowed on a case-by-case basis. OHV systems are not an emphasis.

5.A-008 Do not develop new horse trails. Existing horse use will be phased out.

5.A-009 Do not develop new bike trails. Existing bike use will be phased out.

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5.A Scenery ADMINISTRATIVE 5.A-010 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following SITES Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M M M M M M Objectives

Timber Management 5.A-011 These areas are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production, not forest land.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Protection 5.A-012 On that portion of the Oconee National Forest south of Interstate 20, the requirements of the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service January 2003 RCW Recovery Plan and its amendments must be complied with in each management prescription.

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5.B COMMUNICATION 5.B COMMUNICATION SITES SITES Communication sites on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests include the following:

Black Mountain Dug Gap Mountain Brawley Mountain High House Mountain Brasstown Bald Little Black Mountain Cedar Cliff Knob Mack White Gap Currahee Mountain Rocky Top

EMPHASIS These specific sites are managed to serve a public communication benefit. The sites accommodate ridge top radio, microwave, televsion, weather radar, cellular phone or other types of towers and their support facilities. These sites are of local, state, regional, and national significance to the communication and electronic network. These areas are managed to minimize adverse impacts on other areas.

DESIRED CONDITION Existing special-use authorizations for communications and electronics continue within these specific sites. Each site is developed and utilized to its greatest potential to reduce the need to develop additional sites. All users’ equipment would be compatible with other users’ equipment and frequencies. New equipment should be as inconspicuous to the surrounding terrain as possible. Existing sites are expanded as needed rather than creating additional areas.

Scenery management techniques will be used to attempt to mitigate adverse impacts, however, the scenery integrity level ranges from Moderate to Low. Existing and proposed towers will be used to the extent feasible to accommodate as many users as possible within technical constraints of the towers and antennae.

Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density may exceed the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. Vehicle access to facilities is typically restricted. Safety fences are common to prevent visitors from climbing on towers or vandalizing buildings.

The landscape character is one of cultural nodes in predominately natural appearing settings. Managed change is the primary cause of change in the visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is frequent. Management changes are designed to be moderate contrast or less and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management usually does not occur specifically to moderate visual contrasts of natural change.

Recreation is not emphasized or encouraged at these sites.

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STANDARDS 5.B COMMUNICATION SITES Minerals and Geology 5.B-001 Using stipulations, such as no-surface occupancy or other lease terms to protect the area, Federal mineral leases may be allowed.

5.B-002 Mineral material authorizations with conditions to administer the area may be permitted.

Vegetation and Forest Health 5.B-003 Herbicides may be used in these areas following the requirements found in the Vegetation Management EIS as amended.

5.B-004 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was established, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources

Recreation 5.B-005 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1 and Rural.

Scenery 5.B-006 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity M M L L L L L Objectives

Timber Management 5.B-007 These sites are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production, not forest land.

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5.D MILITARY USE 5.D MILITARY-USE AREAS (CAMP MERRILL) AREAS (CAMP MERRILL)

EMPHASIS This area consists of the U.S Army’s buildings, support and training facilities located within the Camp Frank Merrill compound. The unit served is the US Army 5th Ranger Battalion. The area is the site of the mountain phase of Ranger training. This area is to be managed in accordance with the directions established in the Supplemental Agreement between the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service; and the Master Agreement between the Department of Defense and Department of Agriculture.

DESIRED CONDITION Access into the area and use by forest visitors is limited and at the discretion of Camp Merrill’s command. Public safety, the security of the facility, and its efficient operation are primary concerns. (Refer also to Forestwide direction, Special Uses.)

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 5.D-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Vegetation and Forest Health 5.D-002 The forest health strategy is to prevent the occurrence of pest problems by managing host type conditions at low hazard. Aggressive suppression of pests, both nonnative and native, with all available tools is normal practice including species conversions to match species to sites and genetic selections for disease resistance. Salvage is rapid and complete; and it emphasizes marketing timber before its value decreases.

Recrea tion Recreation 5.D-003 OHV trails are not permitted.

5.D-004 Do not develop new horse trails. Existing horse use will be phased out.

5.D-005 Do not develop new bike trails. Existing bike use will be phased out.

Scene ry Scenery 5.D-006 The landscape character and SIO (Moderate to Low) are dependent on the terms of the MOU with the Department of Defense.

Timber Management 5.D-007 These areas are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production, not forest land.

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6.B AREAS MANAGED 6.B AREAS MANAGED TO RESTORE/MAINTAIN TO OLD GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS RESTORE/MAINTAIN OLD GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS

EMPHASIS This prescription, along with other prescriptions that result in the same conditions, provides an overall network of large (2,500+ acres), medium (100 to 2,499 acres), and small (less than 100 acres) old growth blocks. The emphasis is first restoration then maintenance of old-growth forests for their associated wildlife, botanical, recreational, scientific, educational, cultural, and spiritual values. Within this prescription, forest management activities are allowed for those associated values within the constrain of restoring or maintaining old-growth conditions.

DESIRED CONDITION There is much variation in old-growth descriptions for each forest community type but they share some common characteristics. The structure of the woody vegetation community is complex at a small scale of tens to thousands of acres and is characterized by: • large diameter trees for the species and site; • large variation in tree diameter; • large variation in tree density; • accumulations of large-sized dead standing and fallen trees in amounts that are high in comparison to earlier growth stages within the same old growth community type; • decadence in the form of broken or deformed tops or boles, root decay, and trunk decay; • multiple canopy layers; • canopy gaps; and • understory patchiness.

In addition, non-native species are absent or very infrequent. If they occur, they are not aggressively spreading or significantly altering community species composition when compared with comparable communities within the ecological section without such species. Canopy removal occurs by natural events on about 2 to 3 percent of area per decade. Forest succession as a result of natural changes, where this change is acceptable, is gradually moving composition toward more shade tolerant species such as white pine, hemlock, beech, rhododendron, mountain laurel, red maple, sourwood, and blackgum except where restoration activities have taken place. In restored areas, the existing old growth community is replacing itself naturally following disturbance, predictably maintaining the community on the landscape in perpetuity.

Human-caused change to the vegetation structure may be obvious, but does not conflict at the scale of the entire block with the eight listed old growth vegetative characteristics. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease-killed groups up to several acres, pre-existing wildlife openings, tree removal gaps, and infrequent large contiguous areas up to several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

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6.B Visitors will see variation of old growth characteristics that will be natural appearing and AREAS MANAGED provide a diversity of tree sizes, tree density, and species as well as standing and down TO dead trees. Visitors will occasionally see other people especially near the few open roads RESTORE/MAINTAIN or motorized trails within these areas. Outdoor skills and self-reliance will be important for OLD GROWTH visitors in the more remote areas. No visitor information is provided to create any specific CHARACTERISTICS expectation of amenities unless managed interpretive efforts are conducted on selected blocks. Signs are typically absent except in interpretive areas. Visitors are typically expected to be rather skilled in the outdoors, self-reliant and well prepared. Visitor expectations and satisfaction are monitored. Recreation uses are mostly dispersed, such as hunting or hiking. Extraction activities such as collections of increment cores, tree disks, soil samples, or individual specimens are allowed for scientific or educational purposes, especially for the study of old growth values in comparison to earlier life stages.

Facilities are typically roads or hiking trails that existed prior to designation as an old growth block. Structures are rare. Existing facilities are maintained in serviceable condition with the emphasis on resource protection but not improved beyond their original design. Total road density; that is, both open and closed, is below the average for the ecological section for each contiguous allocation block when expressed on an equal area basis. New facility development is mitigated to maintain old growth vegetative characteristics for the affected old growth community type(s) within each allocated block. Access may be restricted to foot travel, and Forest Service roads may be open only seasonally. Roads may require high-clearance vehicles.

The landscape character is natural-appearing. Natural processes, including fire, are the primary agents of change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural- appearing managed change that affects canopy continuity or vegetation structure occurs but affects a limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low to moderate contrast with comparable undisturbed and high-quality existing old growth conditions of the same old growth community within the ecological section, where available, and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management rarely occurs to moderate visual contrasts of natural change.

Pre-existing old fields and openings for wildlife are normally maintained, but allowed to succeed to forest. In some cases existing openings may be obliterated through tree planting and elimination of nonnative species. New permanent wildlife openings are not created.

There is no objective for early successional wildlife habitat. Wildlife habitats are characterized by nearly unbroken tree canopy and old forest. There will be good-to- optimal habitat conditions for species favoring late-successional and old growth forested conditions. Large downed woody material, standing snags, and tree cavities are common. Management and/or protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species. Habitat for a mix of species associated with old growth characteristics will also be provided.

Fisheries management activities are allowed to restore, enhance, and manage, aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of native and/or demand species. Management activities will be coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

3-106 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial 6.B effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability AREAS MANAGED of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest. TO RESTORE/MAINTAIN OLD GROWTH STANDARDS CHARACTERISTICS

Lands and Special Uses 6.B-001 No new utility corridors or communication sites will be authorized within these areas. Other special uses may be authorized provided they are not in conflict with old growth characteristics, or can be mitigated to not be in conflict.

Minerals and Geology 6.B-002 Using stipulations such as no-surface occupancy and controlled surface use to protect the characteristics of the area, Federal mineral leases may be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 6.B-003 Native pests are generally conducive to providing the desired conditions of this management prescription, and will be controlled only when the predicted mortality of host species would make the affected old growth community type within any allocated block incapable of meeting old growth criteria for any old growth type for twenty years or more and at least one of the following conditions are met: (1) host type is 30 percent or more of the area of an individual old growth allocation block; (2) outbreak status exists at the ecological subsection scale (3) hazard rating for host species within the block is high; (4) the threatened old-growth type within the block is less than 5 percent of total National Forest forestland at ecological section scale; or (5) a sensitive habitat type adjacent to an old growth area is threatened by inaction.

6.B-004 Eradication may be used for newly discovered nonnative invasive pests. Control may be used for established nonnative invasive pests.

6.B-005 Human-caused change to the vegetation structure may be obvious, but may not conflict at the scale of the affected old growth community type or types within each allocated block with the eight old growth vegetative characteristics to the extent that after the activity; (a) any one of them is eliminated, or (b) defining criteria for existing old growth could have been met before but can no longer be met, or (c) defining criteria for existing old growth could have been met before but can no longer be met within twenty years into the future.

Recreation 6.B-006 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed Roaded Natural ROS settings.

6.B-007 Designated OHV connector trails, but not trail systems, may be considered. Pre-existing trails may be retained.

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6.B Scenery AREAS MANAGED TO 6.B-008 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following RESTORE/MAINTAIN Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class. OLD GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H M M M L L Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 6.B-009 Pre-existing system roads may be retained but new system roads may not be constructed.

6.B-010 Up to one-half mile of temporary-use road per entry can be constructed for management purposes within any single contiguous block of this management prescription..

6.B-011 Temporary use roads will be closed and rehabilitated following use.

6.B-012 Close and rehabilitate existing roads that are determined to be in excess of that needed to meet other plan goals, objectives, and standards.

6.B-013 Pre-existing wildlife openings may be retained but new openings may not be created.

6.B-014 This prescription includes portions of the Bogg’s Creek inventoried roadless area. Management actions will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of the entire inventoried roadless area.

Timber Management 6.B-015 Commercial sale of wood products is permissible but must be designed to restore forest structure, composition, and age consistent with meeting the old growth criteria of the selected old growth community type as soon as practicable.

6.B-016 Pattern harvest amount and distribution after natural community dynamics. Opening size for group selection is limited to a maximum of one acre.

6.B-017 Timber may be salvaged after a catastrophe as needed for safety or legal reasons and to return pre-existing facilities to use.

6.B-018 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production – not appropriate; however, activities that meet the Plan goals and objectives for old growth are permitted.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Protection 6.B-019 On that portion of the Oconee National Forest south of Interstate 20, the requirements of the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service January 2003 RCW Recovery Plan and its amendments must be complied with in each management prescription.

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6.D CORE AREAS OF 6.D CORE AREAS OF OLD GROWTH SURROUNDED BY OLD GROWTH AREAS WITH EXTENDED FOREST ROTATIONS SURROUNDED BY AREAS WITH EXTENDED FOREST ROTATIONS EMPHASIS This prescription, along with other prescriptions that result in the same conditions, provides part of an overall network of large (2,500+ acres) and medium (100 to 2,499 acres) old growth blocks. Within allocations to this prescription is a core area managed the same as MRx 6.B. The emphasis is on restoration of old growth conditions in the core area. Outside it, the emphasis is maintenance to supply a flow of old-growth replacement stands over time using an even-aged silvicultural systems with an earliest regeneration age beyond the minimum old growth age of each component old growth community type..

Desired Condition The area contains a representation of the old growth community types associated with a moderate to high intensity disturbance regime or ones in which management is designed to accelerate the development of old-growth vegetative conditions. The most common old-growth forest community types in this area include: • Xeric pine and pine-oak forest and woodland • Dry and dry-mesic oak-pine forest • Upland longleaf pine forest, woodland, and savanna • Dry and xeric oak forest, woodland, and savanna

Each contiguous allocation block is characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease-killed groups up to several acres, infrequent timber harvest units of approximately thirty acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas up to several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

The structure of the woody vegetation community is typically complex at the scale of individual areas of each included old growth community type but may be relatively simple for woodland communities and areas recently treated. Structure within each component old growth community type is usually characterized by: • large diameter trees for the species and site; • large variation in tree diameter; • large variation in tree density; • accumulations of large-sized dead standing and fallen trees in amounts that are high in comparison to earlier growth stages within the same old growth community type; • decadence in the form of broken or deformed tops or boles, root decay, and trunk decay; • multiple canopy layers; • canopy gaps; and • understory patchiness.

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6.D In addition, non-native species are very infrequent if they occur at all. Human-caused CORE AREAS OF change can be obvious outside the core and can temporarily conflict with maintaining old OLD GROWTH growth vegetative conditions. Outside the core area, activities may include even-aged SURROUNDED BY timber harvest, intermediate thinning, prescribed burning, and vegetation control. Forest AREAS WITH health treatments will focus on reducing the risk of losing old-growth characteristics in EXTENDED FOREST the area to forest insects or disease. Management emphasis will also be placed on ROTATIONS improving conditions where past human activities (i.e., improperly constructed roads, trails, and dispersed sites) are impacting water quality or riparian ecosystem functions.

The landscape character is a mixture of natural-appearing outside the core and natural- evolving within it. Natural processes, including fire, are the primary agents of strong change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture within the core. Outside the core, natural-appearing managed change occurs but affects a limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes in the core are low contrast and low to moderate outside and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management usually does not occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change.

Existing old fields and herbaceous openings for wildlife may be present and maintained, but no expansion of openings or creation of new permanent openings of this type occurs. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

No visitor information is provided to create any specific expectation of amenities except as these areas are used for interpretation or conservation education. Signs are also very limited. Visitors are expected to be rather skilled in the outdoors, self-reliant and well prepared. Visitor expectations and satisfaction are monitored.

Facilities are typically roads and trails, and structures are rare. Existing facilities are maintained in serviceable condition with the emphasis on resource protection. They are not improved beyond their original design. In these areas, no new structural facilities are provided.

Access may be restricted to foot travel, and roads may be open only seasonally. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains at a low level in comparison with the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

Management is constrained to remain compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. The recreation use emphasis is on dispersed activities such as hunting, fishing, or hiking but localized and limited development facilitates those uses.

The area will provide habitat conditions suitable for a mix of game and non-game species. For fire-dependent pine forest habitats, habitat associates emphasized within this allocation include southern yellow pine associates, pine savanna and/or woodland associates, and mixed xeric forest associates. The desired terrestrial conditions will provide high-quality watershed conditions, resulting in secure aquatic ecosystems and habitats on lands where this prescription is applied.

Streams and water bodies are periodically inventoried and monitored on a sample basis to characterize larger scale conditions or trends. Streams and water bodies are protected from adverse effects and are actively managed to restore native species and improve aquatic habitat conditions. Fisheries management activities are allowed to restore, enhance, and manage aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of native and/or demand species. Management activities will be coordinated with the Georgia

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Department of Natural Resources. In-stream activities such as placing cover logs are 6.D usually associated with high-demand fisheries or recreation use. CORE AREAS OF OLD GROWTH National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species SURROUNDED BY occurring on the Forest. Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a AREAS WITH sample basis for population health and trends of terrestrial PETS species. Once EXTENDED FOREST identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are ROTATIONS geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-6.D-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in late- successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early-successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 6.D-001 No new utility corridors or communication sites will be authorized within these areas. Other special uses may be authorized provided they are not in conflict with old growth characteristics or can be mitigated to not be in conflict.

6.D-002 Pre-existing special uses that are in conflict with old growth characteristics will be modified at the time of renewal to eliminate or reduce the conflict. If this is not possible, consider termination of the special use.

Minerals and Geology 6.D-003 Using stipulations such as no-surface occupancy and controlled surface use or regular lease terms to protect the characteristics of the area, Federal mineral leases may be allowed.

6.D-004 Mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect the old growth characteristics of each contiguous allocation block may be permitted.

Forest Health 6.D-005 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled outside the core area in the same manner and to the same extent as in MRx 9.H. Within the core area, constraints of MRx 6.B apply.

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6.D 6.D-006 Preventive activities such as thinning and prescribed burning may be CORE AREAS OF used outside of the core areas to reduce the hazard of insect and OLD GROWTH disease outbreaks, if these are threats to old-growth characteristics. SURROUNDED BY

AREAS WITH 6.D-007 Eradication may be considered for newly discovered nonnative invasive EXTENDED FOREST pests. Control may be used for established nonnative invasive pests. ROTATIONS Actions need to be consistent with Forest Service policy, Gypsy Moth

EIS, and SPB EIS.

Recreation

6.D-008 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN2 and SPM.

6.D-009 Designated OHV connector trails, but not trail systems, may be considered. Pre-existing trails may be retained.

Scenery 6.D-010 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M M M M L L Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 6.D-011 Maintain total system road density; that is, both open and closed, below the average for the ecological section for each contiguous allocation block when compared on an equal area basis.

6.D-012 Allow motorized access if it specifically contributes to the management objectives or protection of the area

6.D-013 OHV access points (trailheads) or connecting trails may be considered provided OHV screening criteria have been met or can be with special project mitigation. OHV trail systems may not be considered within this prescription. Pre-existing OHV trails may remain provided they meet OHV screening criteria.

6.D-014 Pre-existing wildlife openings may be retained but new openings are not created.

Timber Management 6.D-015 Core areas of each allocation block are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production, not appropriate; however, activities that meet the Plan goals and objectives for old growth are permitted. Lands outside the core area are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

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6.D Successional Stage Management CORE AREAS OF 6.D-016 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of OLD GROWTH forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than SURROUNDED BY 2 acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- AREAS WITH successional forest creation. EXTENDED FOREST ROTATIONS 6.D-017 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

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7.A SCENIC 7.A SCENIC BYWAY CORRIDOR BYWAY CORRIDOR USDA Forest Service Chief, Dale Robertson, initiated the development of a National Forest Scenic Byway system in 1987; designating its first ten byways from field employee nominations in 1988. The 1991 Federal highway bill created the process for establishing a National Scenic Byways system for our national road system. On May 11, 1995, the National Scenic Byways Program announced its official rule, which established criteria for establishing a designation and a grants program in the Federal Register. Eligibility for grant funding was further dependent on designation as State Scenic Byways or having been accepted as DOT National Scenic Byways, or All American Roads

The scenic byway corridors on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests are the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway (41 miles) and the Forest Service Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway (51 miles).

”Located within the Chattahoochee National Forest in northeast Georgia, the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway is a 41-mile loop revealing some of the most dramatic scenery in the state. The Russell-Brasstown route was awarded National Scenic Byway Designation on June 15, 2000. Included on this route is Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest mountain.Located near the byway is the Bavarian-themed town of Helen. Following State Highways 348, 180, and 17/75, the loop encircles Wildlife Management Areas, the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, and a section of the Appalachian Trail. Nearby Vogel and Unicoi State Parks offer numerous recreational opportunities in addition to the camping, fishing and hiking facilities found along the Byway.

As the name implies, the Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway provides a chance to experience the varied terrain of northwest Georgia. Mountain overlooks and fertile farmlands can be found along the 51-mile Byway as it travels U.S. 27, State Highways 156 and 136, and rural county roads. Outdoor activities ranging from hiking, camping, picnicking, fishing, and hunting can be enjoyed at the Keown Falls Scenic Area, the Pocket, and John's Mountain Overlook and Wildlife Management Area. The surrounding countryside holds the histories of the native Cherokee Indian Nation, Civil War battles, and early settlers whose 1800's farmhouses still stand.” (Source: Georgia Department of Transportation website: www.dot.state.ga.us/dot/planprog/planning/projects/scenic_byways/index.shtml)

EMPHASIS A scenic byway corridor is managed to provide visitors enjoyment of outstanding scenery of natural and cultural landscapes along a well-maintained road. The area may also contain recreational and interpretive trails. The byway corridor will be defined by the area visible during the leaf-off season for up to one-half mile from either side of the road, unless other criteria were established in the specific scenic byway corridor management plan. Management will be focused on protecting and showcasing the unique and scenic natural and cultural resources, which were the basis for the corridor being designated a scenic byway.

DESIRED CONDITION The prescription area will be easily accessed, and designed primarily for scenic driving. Recreation experience is provided in a natural appearing or pastoral landscape; natural processes and management activity influence vegetation.

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Visitors expect a roadway with outstanding scenic views and natural beauty. Facilities 7.A consist primarily of the roadway, overlook areas, interpretative signs, and perhaps, SCENIC information kiosks or bulletin boards. The Byway itself is suitable year-round for BYWAY passenger cars. Other roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of CORRIDOR vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density may exceed the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. Signs identify trails or recreation areas within, or near, the scenic byway. Interpretive services including trails, signs, viewing areas, self- guided programs, and buildings are provided to enhance the understanding of, and appreciation for, the natural environment, cultural resources, and the byway’s special features. All these improvements are designed to blend in with surroundings.

Views along the byway will be natural appearing and include a variety of landscape characters, ranging from natural appearing to pastoral and historic/cultural. A continuous overstory canopy of large hardwoods and pines, as well as understory and ground cover vegetation, provide colorful accents and interesting textures for each season. Visitors enjoy viewing wildlife in the occasional openings or meadows scattered throughout the forest. Water, geographic features, or cultural landscapes provide scenic diversions to the predominately forested landscape. Road corridor improvements and interpretive facilities will be evident changes to the natural environment, but these human-made alterations will fit well with the character of the surrounding landscape.

Natural-appearing managed change will occur, but will affect a limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change.

In the corridor, recreation consists primarily of driving for pleasure and enjoying the views. The scenic byway corridor may also provide access to additional recreational areas or trails coincidentally located within the viewing distance that defines the corridor. Trails for horse, bike, and OHV quickly leave the area, and do not parallel the byway. The density of open roads and/or motorized vehicle trails remains near the average road and trail density of Forest Service roads within the ecological section throughout the planning period.

Natural processes and management activities will influence vegetation. The mix and types of forest communties depend on the landtype associations in which this prescription is applied. These areas are characterized by a predominance of mid- and late-successional forests, but up to 4 percent of forested land may be in early- successional forest conditions.

There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- successional forested conditions. Management/protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species. Habitat for a broad mix of species is also provided.

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7.A Streams and water bodies are periodically inventoried and monitored on an individual SCENIC stream basis to characterize conditions or trends. Streams and water bodies are BYWAY protected from adverse effects. Aquatic habitat management activities are allowed to CORRIDOR maintain, restore and enhance aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

OBJECTIVES OBJ-7.A-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in late- successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early-successional forest.

OBJ-7.A-02 Complete scenic byway corridor management plans within 10 years of plan implementation.

OBJ-7.A-03 Co-operate with Georgia Department of Transportation and county highway departments in construction of bike lanes on Scenic Byways as opportunity offers.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 7.A-001 In addition to the Forestwide Standards, a project level landscape management plan with screening, feathering, and other vegetation management techniques will be required to mitigate the visual and other impacts from new, upgraded or reauthorized utility corridors or communication sites. Other special uses are authorized if consistent and compatible with the goals and objectives of this area.

Minerals and Geology 7.A-002 Using stipulations such as no-surface occupancy and controlled surface use to protect the characteristics of the area, federal mineral leases would be allowed.

7.A-003 Mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect the characteristics of the area would be permitted.

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7.A Vegetation and Forest Health SCENIC 7.A-004 Using integrated pest management techniques that will continue to BYWAY meet scenic integrity objectives, stands may be actively managed to CORRIDOR reduce the risks and hazards of damage from native and nonnative invasive pests.

7.A-005 Eradication may be used for newly discovered nonnative invasive pests.

7.A-006 Fell hazardous trees in areas used by people (e.g., roads and picnic sites).

7.A-007 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was designated, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources provided that pest management activities shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem.

Fire Management 7.A-008 In the immediate foreground of the seen area from the designated byway, use the minimum amount of ground, vegetation, or stream disturbance that is effective to achieve fire management objectives.

Recreation 7.A-009 Projects requiring an Environmental Assessment (EA) will not be implemented until the Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan is completed. The Corridor Management Plan will guide the development of new projects.

7.A-010 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1 or Rural.

7.A-011 Only access points (trailheads) or connecting OHV travel routes would be allowed on a case-by-case basis; these trails quickly leave the Byway corridor.

7.A-012 Trails designated for horse or bike use on National Forest do not parallel the Byway for long distances.

Scenery 7.A-013 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H NA NA NA NA NA Objectives

7.A-014 Short-term SIOs for rehabilitation and enhancement may be used until scenic integrity objectives are achieved.

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7.A SCENIC Facilities, Roads, and Access BYWAY 7.A-015 Design and construct access roads to meet the scenic integrity of High. CORRIDOR Premit new access roads, provided they quickly enter and leave the seen area, and do not parallel the Byway..

Timber Management 7.A-016 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

Successional Stage Management 7.A-017 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

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7.B 7.B SCENIC CORRIDORS AND SENSITIVE SCENIC VIEWSHEDS CORRIDORS AND SENSITIVE VIEWSHEDS Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewshed areas include the foreground of National and State Highways, also major Forest Service roads. Forest Service roads typically are through roads, access developed recreation sites or nationally-designated areas, and have realtively high traffic volumes. The following road segments (and potentially others) are Included in this prescription: Georgia Highway 42 across Buzzard Roost Georgia Highway 52 near Fort Mountain State Park FS Rd 630 from Crandell to Lake Conasauga to Sumac FS Rd 64 from Three Forks to Mule Top FS Rd 793 at Double Knob FS Rds 42 and 66 at Buzzard Roost FS Rd 58 at Noontootla Creek US Highway 19/129 at Sosbee Cove (beyond Vogel State Park) US Highway 27 Bypass intersection with Georgia Highway 1 Georgia Highway 136 at Maddox Gap

EMPHASIS The emphasis is on maintenance, or restoration and design, to provide high-quality scenery in sensitive recreational and travelway settings. Examples include areas adjacent to communities; areas around lakes, rivers, and streams; and areas viewed from state- designated byways, and major travel ways.

DESIRED CONDITION The landscape is predominantly natural appearing, and includes a variety of landscape characters, ranging from natural appearing to pastoral and historic/cultural. Understory vegetation includes a variety of native deciduous and evergreen flowering trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. The mix and types of forest communties will depend on the landtype associations in which this prescription is applied.

Visitors will view high-quality scenery in a setting conducive to a variety of recreational experiences. Human modifications will be subordinate to the characteristic landscape. Landscape restoration and rehabilitation to meet high-quality scenic conditions will be a high priority. Coordination with nearby communities will help provide complementary management of adjoining lands. Some areas would offer views into park-like stands, highlighting larger diameter trees. Scenic water features may also be present. The sensitive view shed may also be a natural appearing open area, bald, or pastoral landscape.

The primary landscape character is natural-appearing with natural processes the dominant agents of strong change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural-appearing managed change occurs but affects a very limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change, but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is subordinate to scenic quality.

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7.B Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present, maintained, and expanded. SCENIC New openings may also be created. Native species are emphasized when establishing CORRIDORS food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a AND SENSITIVE result of longer maintenance cycles. VIEWSHEDS

Non-motorized and motorized recreation may occur in this prescription area as long as it does not negatively impact the scenic value of the area as viewed from sensitive travel ways, use areas, and adjacent communities. Hiking, mountain biking, and horse trails are present throughout the prescription area. OHV trails may be present at low density as a link to an existing trail system from a trailhead, but new trails are not constructed. OHV connector trails do not parallel the road, trail or use area that was the reason for the management prescription allocation.

Sights and sounds of other visitors and motorized vehicles may be present. Total system road density veries widely but may exceed the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. The opportunity to encounter other visitors is high along roadways, at parking areas, at pullouts, and at overlooks, but may be moderate to low on trails away from congregated-use areas. At points of highly developed recreational use, visitors take on low risk and are not challenged to rely on their own physical abilities and outdoor skills. In the more remote areas, visitors may take on some risk and be challenged to rely on their own personal physical abilities and primitive recreational skills. Visitors may engage in photography, wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing and activities or facilities to enhance these opportunities may occur. Facilities are designed to fit the character of the specific sites where they are located. Trails may be highly developed, including hardened trails for a high level of accessibility for persons with all levels of abilities. Facilities may include roads, pullouts, overlooks, parking areas, trailheads, bulletin boards, interpretive kiosks, rail fences, signs, restrooms, and picnic sites.

Management is constrained to remain compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. Recreation uses are both dispersed and developed, but dispersed uses typically are associated with a developed site. Developed sites have posted Safety Zones in which hunting is prohibited. Current examples include Lake Russell, the Upper Chattahoochee River, and the Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway. Visitor expectations and satisfaction are monitored.

Natural processes and humans influence vegetation. The mix and types of forest communties will depend on the landtype associations in which this prescription is applied. Areas may show evidence of forest resource management activities but are visually subordinate to the characteristic landscape. These lands may have a combination of prescribed fire, low-intensity timber harvesting, and wildlife habitat improvements resulting in a forest of deciduous and mixed hardwood-pine forest community types primarily in mid- and late-successional conditions. Communities are structurally diverse, with occasional small gaps occurring from natural events and vegetation manipulation by humans. Even-aged and uneven-aged forest communities will develop in the view shed along with medium and small patches of old-growth forest communities.

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease- killed groups up to several acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

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There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- 7.B successional forested conditions. Management and/or protection of rare communities SCENIC and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection CORRIDORS measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally AND SENSITIVE rare species. Habitat for a broad mix of species will also be provided. VIEWSHEDS

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-7.B-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in late- successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early-successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 7.B-001 In addition to the forestwide standards, a project level landscape management plan with screening, feathering, and other vegetation management techniques will be required to mitigate the visual and other impacts from new, upgraded, or reauthorized utility corridors or communication sites. Other special uses are authorized if consistent and compatible with the goals and objectives of this area.

Minerals and Geology 7.B-002 Using stipulations such as no-surface occupancy and controlled surface use to protect the characteristics of the area, Federal mineral leases would be allowed.

7.B003 Mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect the characteristics of the area would be considered.

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7.B SCENIC Vegetation and Forest Health CORRIDORS 7.B-004 Using integrated pest management techniques that will continue to AND SENSITIVE meet scenic integrity objectives, stands may be actively managed to VIEWSHEDS reduce the risks and hazards of damage from native and nonnative invasive pests.

7.B-005 Eradication may be used for newly discovered nonnative invasive pests. Established populations may be controlled to prevent spread.

7.B-006 Fell hazard trees in areas used by people (e.g., roads and picnic sites).

7.B-007 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was allocated, to reduce hazards to visitors, for safety or legal reasons, or to protect adjacent resources provided that pest management activities shall be specific to the target organisms and impacts to other components of the ecosystem are mitigated.

Recreation 7.B-008 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1, RN2, SPM.

7.B-009 OHV trails: Only access points (trailheads) or connecting trails allowed on a case-by-case basis.

Scenery 7.B-010 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H M M M M M Objectives

Timber Management 7.B-011 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

Succession Stage Management 7.B-012 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

7.B-013 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

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7.E.1 7.E.1 DISPERSED RECREATION AREAS DISPERSED RECREATION Areas EMPHASIS These areas receive moderate to high recreation use and are managed to provide the public with a variety of recreation opportunities in a setting that provides quality scenery, numerous trails and limited facilities. The management emphasis is to improve the settings for non-formal outdoor recreation in a manner that protects and restores the health, diversity, and productivity of the watersheds .

DESIRED CONDITION This area will be managed and monitored to absorb moderate to high levels of use with minimal improvements while protecting soil, vegetation, and water resource conditions.

A visually-appealing landscape is achieved by providing vista openings, featuring special attractions like rock outcroppings and waterfalls, and by providing park like stands and a diversity of vegetation species and age classes. The predominant landscape is natural appearing with variations of structurally diverse mid- to late- successional communities. Small and medium patches of old-growth forest communities, as well as small canopy gaps would develop over time throughout the area. Up to 4 percent of forested land may be in early-successional forest conditions created both naturally and through management. Approximately 85 percent of the forest cover in these areas would be mid- to late- successional communities with potential old growth forests. The scenic integrity objectives would be Moderate to High. Where possible, management changes are designed to be in low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present, maintained, and expanded. New openings may also occur. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Visitors will be able to choose from a wide variety of high-quality, well-maintained, dispersed recreation opportunities such as camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, rock climbing, nature studying, hunting, fishing, and canoeing. Loop and interconnected trail systems will be available for use. Visitors will frequently see other people in some parts of this area. Sights and sounds of human activities will be evident in many locations. Trails will be maintained, improved, or expanded to meet local demands, provided the local ecosystem is not negatively affected. Outdoor skills are of moderate importance for visitors, except where knowledge of specialized activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking, or rock climbing, is critical.

Visitors are informed to expect limited, rustic amenities. Signs are few, but adequate to guide visitors from state or county roads. Visitors are expected to be rather self-reliant and well prepared. Monitoring of visitor satisfaction and expectations will be done periodically to assess how well these areas are meeting the Forest Plan Goals and Objectives. Search and rescue is readily available.

All roads, facilities, and signing are designed to blend in with surroundings. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road

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7.E.1 density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the DISPERSED ecological section. Existing open public roads are maintained at or above current levels to RECREATION provide for public access and parking safety. Capacity of facilities is typically low, and they Areas are rustic in character. Construction of new facilities is limited and usually done in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity.

There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- successional forest conditions. Management and/or protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences for threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species. Habitat for a broad mix of species will also be provided.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest,including huntable or fishable populations of terrestrial and aquatic demand species.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-7.E.1-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forest acres in late-successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early- successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 7.E.1-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 7.E.1-002 Using lease terms for environmental protection, Federal mineral leases and mineral material authorizations would be allowed.

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7.E.1

Vegetation and Forest Health DISPERSED RECREATION 7.E.1-003 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to Areas protect the values for which the area was allocated; to reduce hazards to visitors; for safety or legal reasons; to protect adjacent resources; or to protect ecosystem composition, structure, and function.

Recreation 7.E.1-004 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1, RN2, SPM, and SPNM.

7.E.1-005 OHV trail systems are permissible provided screening criteria have been met.

Scenery 7.E.1-006 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M M M M M M Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access

7.E.1-007 This prescription includes portions of the Pink Knob, and Rocky Mountaiin inventoried roadless areas. Management actions in any one of them will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of each entire inventoried roadless area.

Timber Management 7.E.1-008 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production; not appropriate;however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

Successional Stage Management 7.E.1-009 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Protection 7.E.1-010 On that portion of the Oconee National Forest south of Interstate 20, the requirements of the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service January 2003 RCW Recovery Plan and its amendments must be complied with in each management prescription.

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7.E.2 DISPERSED 7.E.2 DISPERSED RECREATION AREAS WITH RECREATION VEGETATION MANAGEMENT Areas WITH VEGETATION MANAGEMENT EMPHASIS These areas receive moderate to high recreation use and are managed to improve the settings for non-formal outdoor recreation in a manner that protects and restores the health, diversity, and productivity of the watersheds where the areas are located. These areas will be suitable for timber production in order to maintain the long-term goals of a diverse and vigorous forest for scenery, recreation, and wildlife. Forest management operations focus on what is retained in the stand, not on wood fiber production. Forest management practices are modified to recognize the recreational and aesthetic values of these areas.

DESIRED CONDITION These areas will be characterized by easy access and will be capable of sustaining a relatively high number of visitors in a manner that protects the surrounding water, soil, vegetation, and wildlife.

Visitors to these natural appearing settings will be able to choose from a variety of well maintained, nature-based recreation opportunities. A visually appealing landscape is emphasized by providing vista openings, featuring special attractions like rock outcroppings and waterfalls, and by providing park like stands and a diversity of vegetation species and age classes. The predominant landscape character would be variations of structurally diverse mid- to late- successional communities with occasional pastoral and historic/cultural enclaves and small to medium patches of old-growth forest communities.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained. Expansion of existing openings and/or creation of new openings may occur. Non-invasive nonnatives are sometimes used when establishing food plants for wildlife, but native species are used where feasible and cost effective. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Recreation opportunities in this area include, but are not limited to, driving for pleasure, day hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, camping, backpacking, hunting, fishing, off-highway vehicle driving, rock climbing, nature study, viewing and photographing scenery, and river running. Trails through this area are well marked and may include features for visitors with special access needs, loop systems, and/or interpretive programs.

The sights and sounds of other visitors and motorized vehicles may be present. The opportunity to encounter other visitors is high along roadways, at parking areas, pullouts, and overlooks, but may be moderate to low on trails away from congregated use areas. In remote areas, visitors may take on some risk and be challenged to rely on their own personal physical abilities and primitive recreational skills such as bouldering, climbing, stream fording, and orienteering. The recreational opportunity spectrum will range from RN 1, RN 2 to rural.

Non-motorized and motorized trails and travel routes will be maintained, improved, or expanded to meet local demands provided watershed and ecosystem health are not

3-126 LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 3 negatively affected. Limitations of use will occur if any dispersed activity results in, or is 7.E.2 expected to result in, negative affects to watershed or ecosystem health. DISPERSED RECREATION Visitors are informed to expect limited, rustic amenities. Acquiring current information Areas WITH typically requires contacting the Forest Service by phone or visiting a Forest Service VEGETATION office. Signs are few but adequate to guide visitors from state or county roads. Visitors MANAGEMENT are expected to be rather self-reliant and well prepared. Monitoring of visitor satisfaction and expectations will occur periodically to assess whether Forest Plan Goals and Objectives are being met. Search and rescue is readily available.

Facilities within these areas may include portable or permanent toilets, trash receptacles, fire grills, signs, and vehicle barriers, but are generally rare and are only provided for health and sanitation or to protect the area from resource damage. Structures are uncommon. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. T otal system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. In these areas existing facilities are maintained above a resource protection level, but without a strong emphasis on visitor expectations. Capacity of facilities is typically low and they are rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, are usually in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more amenities.

Management is designed to meet the growing demands for dispersed activities such as pleasure driving, day hiking, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and horseback riding and OHV trails or routes. Management is constrained to remain compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class.

Forest management activities maintain the natural characteristics that make the area popular. They are designed to: • enhance both game and nongame wildlife habitat, including aquatics, for viewing, photographing, fishing, and hunting; • feature flowering trees, hard and soft mast bearing trees, character trees, and shrub species; • enhance fall color species; • create a pleasing mosaic of tree species of various densities and stem sizes; • minimize impacts from insect or disease outbreaks; or • rehabilitate areas damaged by insects or disease.

Management activities will normally be visually subordinate to the surrounding landscape. In the foreground of sensitive roads and trails, these activities will rarely be evident to the casual observer.

Approximately 85% of these areas will be characterized by a predominance of mid- and late-successional forests during this plan cycle, but up to 10 percent per decade of forested land may be in early-successional forest conditions. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 10 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres, but the severity of effect will be moderated from low intensity management. The range of canopy breaks includes frequent small gaps created by individual tree mortality, occasional insect or disease- killed groups up to several acres, infrequent timber harvest units of approximately thirty acres, and rare large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

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7.E.2 These areas will be managed to provide a diversity of wildlife habitats to enhance the DISPERSED dispersed recreation experience, including bird watching, fishing, hunting, and wildlife RECREATION viewing. Biological communities are maintained or improved to provide wildlife species Areas WITH diversity and viability as well as an attractive setting for visitors. Habitat conditions would VEGETATION be beneficial to forest interior, mid- to late-successional associates, bottomland forest MANAGEMENT associates, and basic and mixed mesic associates. (For forest interior, mid- to late- successional associates, this prescription applies only to National Forests located in the Blue Ridge Mountain ecological section, because that section is greater than 80 percent forested.) High quality watershed conditions are provided, resulting in secure aquatic ecosystems/habitats on Forest lands.

These areas will be characterized by an intermediate mix of forest successional stages. Mid- and late-successional forests will be common, but 4 to 10 percent of forested land will be in early-successional forest conditions. Early-successional forest patches vary in size, but many are larger than 20 acres to provide optimal conditions for dependent species. Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest, and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-7.E.2-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in mid- to late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 20 percent of forested acres in late- successional forest, including old growth; and 4 to 10 percent per decade in early-successional forest.

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STANDARDS 7.E.2 DISPERSED RECREATION Lands and Special Uses Areas WITH VEGETATION 7.E.2-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject MANAGEMENT to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 7.E.2-002 Using lease terms for environmental protection, Federal mineral leases and mineral material authorizations would be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health

7.E.2-003 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to protect the values for which the area was allocated; to reduce hazards to visitors; for safety or legal reasons; to protect adjacent resources; or to protect ecosystem composition, structure, and function.

Recreation 7.E.2-004 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1 and RN2

7.E.2-005 OHV use is allowed if screening criteria are met.

Scenery 7.E.2-006 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M M L L L L Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 7.E.2-007 This prescription includes portions of the Pink Knob and Sarah’s Creek inventoried roadless areas. Management actions in any one of them will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of each entire inventoried roadless area.

Timber Management 7.E.2-008 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

For forest interior, mid- to late-successional associates - this prescription applies only to NFs located in the Blue Ridge Mtn. Section, because that ecological section is greater than 80 percent forested.

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Successional Stage Management 7.E.2-009 Creation of early-successional habitat is limited to 10 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

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8.A.1 MIX OF 8.A.1 MIX OF SUCCESSIONAL FOREST HABITATS SUCCESSIONAL FOREST HABITATS EMPHASIS In these areas, the emphasis will be to provide habitats associated with mid- to late- successional forest habitats. Management activities are designed to: (1) retain a forested canopy across at least 50 percent of the prescription area, (2) maintain or enhance hard and soft mast production, (3) increase vegetative diversity (structural and spatial), and (4) limit motorized access across the prescription area.

DESIRED CONDITION The landscapes of this area retain a natural, forested appearance. A mid- to late- successional forest greater than 40 years of age dominates the landscape with a continuous forested canopy greater than 50 percent of the prescription area. The area is interspersed with both forest communities greater than 100 years of age and herbaceous openings providing wildlife habitat diversity and visual diversity.

The landscape character is natural-appearing. Natural processes are the primary agents of strong change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural-appearing managed change occurs, but affects a limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low to moderate contrast and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management usually does not occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change. Evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is infrequent.

During most of the year, occasional encounters with other forest visitors can be expected; however, these encounters will be more frequent during spring and fall hunting seasons. This area provides excellent opportunities for bird watching, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting. Forest visitors on foot, horses, or bikes may experience some solitude in portions of this prescription area where roads are managed as closed.

Visitors are informed to expect limited, rustic amenities. Acquiring current information typically requires contacting the Forest Service by phone or visiting a Forest Service office. Signs are few but adequate to guide visitors from state or county roads. Visitors are expected to be rather self-reliant and well prepared. Monitoring of visitor satisfaction and expectations is on a special study or incidental basis. Search and rescue is not readily available. When needed, motorized operations are usually constrained by requirements for special case-by-case permissions. Environmental effects of recovery operations are planned to be minimal and promptly rehabilitated.

Facilities are primarily non-structural, for example: roads, trails, tables, tent pads, etc. Structures are uncommon. Access may be possible by passenger car in good weather, but roads are not designed or maintained for them. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. In these areas existing facilities are maintained above a resource protection level but without a strong emphasis on visitor expectations. Capacity of facilities is typically low and they are rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, are usually in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 3-131 CHAPTER 3 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more 8.A.1 amenities. MIX OF SUCCESSIONAL The mix of forest communities desired would vary by the land type associations in which FOREST this prescription is allocated; however, the canopy generally consists of a mixed HABITATS hardwood forest composed primarily of oaks and hickories in the uplands. Poplars, birch, and hemlock increase as moisture availability increases down slope to the coves. Southern yellow pines increase as sites become drier toward the ridge tops. The overstory is relatively closed, multi-layered, and moderately to densely stocked. A moderate stocking of 60–80 basal area per acre is desirable when cerulean warbler is known to exist within the prescription area. The midstory is also multi-layered composed of a diversity of shrubs, vines, grape arbors, and saplings.

Tree ages vary from area to area, but the focus is on oaks and hickories in their prime mast-producing years, between 40 and 100 years of age. A minimum of 35 percent of forest communities in this mast-bearing age group is desirable. Trees greater than 120 years of age occur commonly as individuals, groups, or large areas. The resulting landscape structure of this land allocation provides linkages to large- and medium-sized old-growth patches. Cavity trees, cull trees, standing dead trees, and down logs are common throughout the area as a result of natural mortality.

Forest management activities and prescribed fire play an important role in the maintenance of many of the forested communities found throughout this management prescription. These activities are frequently used to encourage oak sprouting and reduce competition from more shade-tolerant species. They also help to restore and maintain T&E species habitats.

There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- successional forested conditions. The area will provide habitat conditions suitable for a mix of game (black bear, eastern gray squirrel, eastern wild turkey, and white-tailed deer) and non-game species (Acadian flycatcher, eastern fox squirrel, eastern wood-peewee, downy woodpecker, and southern pygmy shrew). Management and/or protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species.

Early successional habitats will be dispersed throughout the area. Early-successional forest patches vary in size, but many are larger than 20 acres to provide optimal conditions for dependent species. Where compatible with other multiple-use and ecological objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will commonly be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species. The actual percentage of early successional habitat, including regeneration harvest areas, will vary across time and space based on site-specific habitat objectives, actual occurrences of natural disturbances, size and types of permanent openings, private land influences, and the efficiency of scheduling management activities.

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8.A.1 Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at MIX OF smaller scales of 5 to 1,000 acres across the landscape and affecting this prescription, SUCCESSIONAL but the severity of effect will be mitigated. The range of canopy breaks includes frequent FOREST small gaps created by individual tree mortality, occasional insect or disease-killed groups HABITATS up to several acres, infrequent timber harvest units of approximately thirty acres, and rare large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-8.A.1-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in mid- to late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 20 percent of forested acres in late- successional forest, including old growth; and 4 to 10 percent per decade in early-successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 8.A.1-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 8.A.1-002 Using lease terms for environmental protection, Federal mineral leases and mineral material authorizations would be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 8.A.1-003 Stands may be actively managed to reduce the risks and hazards of damage from native and nonnative invasive pests.

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8.A.1 8.A.1-004 Indigenous forest pests are kept within acceptable levels through MIX OF integrated pest management techniques. Insect and disease outbreaks SUCCESSIONAL may be controlled when necessary to reduce hazards to visitors; for FOREST safety or legal reasons; to protect adjacent resources; or to protect ecosystem composition, structure, and function. HABITATS

8.A.1-005 Forest pests not native to the area are minimized through judicious use of controls, silvicultural practices, and timely salvage of damaged trees. Actions need to be consistent with Forest service policy, Gypsy Moth EIS, and SPB EIS.

Recreation 8.A.1-006 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS setting RN2.

8.A.1-007 OHVs would be allowed on designated travel routes.

Scenery 8.A.1-008 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M L L L L L Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 8.A.1-009 System roads may be constructed within the area but total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

8.A.1-010 This prescription includes portions of the Joe Gap and Kelly Ridge inventoried roadless areas. Management actions in any one of them will not violate Forest Service roadless criteria at the scale of each entire inventoried roadless area.

Timber Management

8.A.1-011 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

Successional Stage Management 8.A.1-012 Creation of early-successional habitat is limited to 10 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

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8.A.2 FOREST 8.A.2 FOREST INTERIOR, MID- TO LATE- INTERIOR, MID- TO LATE- SUCCESSIONAL FOREST HABITATS SUCCESSIONAL FOREST HABITATS EMPHASIS The emphasis is on providing optimal to suitable habitat for a variety of plant and animal populations associated with mid- to late-successional deciduous forest habitats, while maintaining habitat for forest interior species. Management activities are designed to: • maintain forest cover over more than 70 percent of the prescription area; • increase vertical vegetative diversity (canopy, sub-canopy, shrub, and herbaceous layers all present and fairly well developed); • maintain hard and soft mast production; • provide a dispersed system of permanent and transitory openings; • control motorized access across the prescription area; and • minimize habitat fragmentation from significant linear rights-of-way.

DESIRED CONDITION The area contains a representation of deciduous and mixed hardwood-pine forest community types primarily in mid- and late-successional conditions. The mix of the different forest communities will depend on the land type association in which this prescription is applied. The area is dominated by interior forest conditions, with large- diameter trees being common throughout. Communities are structurally diverse, with occasional small gaps occurring from natural events and low intensity management (small areas). Communities on xeric sites will contain smaller trees and less diverse structure than those on mesic sites.

Existing openings or old fields may be maintained or expanded and new openings may be created. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Recreation experience will be provided in a landscape character that will be primarily natural appearing, although evidence of forest management activities may be seen (i.e., tree stumps or logging roads). This area will provide moderate to large tracts of recreation opportunities in remote settings with a nonmotorized emphasis. There may be existing trails with no constructed convenience facilities. Human activities may be evident in some places. Visitors will occasionally see other people especially near the open roads in this area. Outdoor skills will be important for visitors in the more remote portions of this area. Recreation uses are mostly dispersed. Bird watching, hiking, backpacking, dispersed camping, wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are typical activities available.

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No visitor information is provided to create any specific expectation of amenities. Signs 8.A.2 are very limited. Visitors are expected to be rather skilled in the outdoors, self-reliant and FOREST well prepared. Visitor’s expectations and satisfaction will be monitored. INTERIOR, MID- TO LATE- Facilities are typically roads and trails, and structures are rare. Existing facilities are SUCCESSIONAL maintained in serviceable condition with the emphasis on resource protection. They are FOREST not improved beyond their original design. In these areas no new facilities are provided. HABITATS Access may be restricted to foot travel, and roads may be open only seasonally. Roads may require high-clearance vehicles. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section.

Approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover in these areas would be mid- successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophes will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease-killed groups up to several acres, infrequent timber harvest units of approximately thirty acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

There would be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- successional forest conditions. Management and/or protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species. Habitat for a broad mix of species will also be provided. The landscape structure of this allocation provides linkages to large and medium-sized old-growth patches. Cavity trees, cull trees, standing dead trees, and down logs are common throughout the area as a result of natural mortality.

Streams and water bodies are periodically inventoried and monitored on an individual stream basis to characterize conditions or trends.Streams and water bodies are protected from adverse effects. Aquatic habitat management activities are allowed to maintain, restore and enhance aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

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8.A.2 OBJECTIVE FOREST INTERIOR, OBJ-8.A.2-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 MID- TO LATE- percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including SUCCESSIONAL old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in late- FOREST successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per HABITATS decade in early-successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 8.A.2-001 Special uses may be authorized if consistent and compatible with the goals and objectives of this area.

8.A.2-002 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 8.A.2-003 Using lease terms for environmental protection, Federal mineral leases and mineral material authorizations would be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 8.A.2-004 Stands may be actively managed to reduce the risks and hazards of damage from native and nonnative invasive pests.

8.A.2-005 Indigenous forest pests are kept within acceptable levels through integrated pest management techniques. Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled when necessary to reduce hazards to visitors; for safety or legal reasons; to protect adjacent resources; or to protect ecosystem composition, structure, and function.

8.A.2-006 Forest pests not native to the area are minimized through judicious use of controls, silvicultural practices, and timely salvage of damaged trees. Actions need to be consistent with Forest Service policy, Gypsy Moth EIS, and the SPB EIS.

Recreation 8.A.2-007 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS setting RN2.

8.A.2-008 OHV trails: Only access points (trailheads) or connecting trails allowed on a case-by-case basis.

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Scenery 8.A.2 FOREST 8.A.2-009 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following INTERIOR, Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class. MID- TO LATE- SUCCESSIONAL Inventoried FOREST 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class HABITATS Scenic Integrity H H M M M M M Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 8.A.2-010 The density of open roads over which the Forest Service has jurisdiction will be maintained at no more than 1.5 miles per 1,000 acres.

Timber Management 8.A.2-011 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

Succession Stage Management 8.A.2-012 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

8.A.2-013 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

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8.D AND 8.D.1 RED-COCKADED 8.D AND 8.D.1 RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER WOODPECKER HABITAT MANAGEMENT AREAS HABITAT MANAGEMENT AREAS EMPHASIS Within the HMA (8.D), the management emphasis is to provide suitable-to-optimal habitat conditions and management activities that contribute to the recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) on the Oconee National Forest. The habitat conditions needed by the RCW will be predominately southern pine forest in mid- and late-successional conditions.

Within the Sub-HMA (8.D.1) the management emphasis is to provide suitable-to-optimal habitat conditions in areas containing small RCW populations within the larger, designated habitat management area (8.D). These RCW populations are at the greatest risk of local extirpation and in need of immediate, aggressive management action to create and protect suitable habitat.

Management will be based on the Management of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Its Habitat on National Forests in the Southern Region (RCW FEIS, June 1995), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s RCW Recovery Plan, January 2003.

Standards are written to reflect a Management Intensity Level (MIL) of 4, the most intensive level of management directed at conservation of the RCW.

DESIRED CONDITION The desired conditions for 8.D.1 are the same as those for 8.D with some differences in management priority. Management prescription 8.D.1 is nested within prescription 8.D. The differences between the two prescriptions are due to the actual presence of the species in the sub-habitat management area (8.D.1).

The HMA contains a representation of pine and mixed pine-hardwood forest community types, primarily in mid- and late-successional conditions, which would sustain RCW populations at recovery plan objectives. Other forest community types would make up a smaller proportion of the area. Old, flat-topped pine trees may be found throughout the area. Within the Sub-HMA pine stands will have an open understory, having a park-like appearance. The RCW’s nesting and foraging habitat consists of mid to late successional pines with an open understory. Dormant-season and growing-season prescribed fires along with basal area reductions of the pines will occur to maintain the foraging areas.

The pine communities are continuous and structurally simple (pine overstory with native grass/herbaceous/shrub understory less than three feet high), shaped primarily by the use of growing season/dormant season prescribed fire, with occasional small gaps occurring from natural events and management. Evidence may be seen of forest management activities such as tree stumps or logging roads. These are needed to sustain a flow of pine habitats (RCW-foraging/nesting habitat) for the long term. Mesic hardwood communities, bottomland hardwood communities, and riparian habitats dissect the area.

These areas will be characterized by 60 to 80 percent or more of the forest cover being mid and late-successional forests with a relatively low percentage of acreage old enough for potential old growth. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 10 percent of the land area of each aggregated

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 3-139 CHAPTER 3 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural 8.D AND 8.D.1 catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to RED-COCKADED 1,000 acres, but the severity of effect will be moderated by low intensity management. WOODPECKER The range of canopy breaks includes frequent small gaps created by individual tree HABITAT mortality, occasional insect or disease-killed groups up to several acres, infrequent MANAGEMENT timber harvest units of approximately thirty acres, to rare large contiguous areas of AREAS several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

Permanent wildlife openings will occur. There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late-successional forested conditions. Restoration and protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species. Habitat for a broad mix of species will also be provided.

Within the HMA the landscape character is predominately natural-appearing. Managed change is the primary cause of change in the visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is frequent. Managed changes cumulatively affect approximately one-third of the land area of this prescription each decade. Management changes are designed to be moderate contrast or less and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management usually does not occur specifically to moderate visual contrasts of natural change. Within the Sub-HMA recreation experience will be provided in a landscape character that will be natural appearing. Dispersed use is emphasized with existing facilities maintained. New facilities are not added. Visitor use near, or within, RCW cluster sites is discouraged.

Management is constrained to remain compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. The recreation use emphasis is on dispersed activities such as hunting, fishing, or hiking, but localized and limited development facilitates those uses.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest. Translocation of RCW will be used as needed to restore the species to levels defined in the Recovery Plan.

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8.D AND 8.D.1 There is a high level of collaboration with USFWS, universities, State Heritage programs, RED-COCKADED sister Forests and others to leverage knowledge and experience. WOODPECKER HABITAT Inventories will be conducted to identify significant heritage resources requiring MANAGEMENT monitoring and protection. The priority of heritage resource inventory areas will focus on AREAS known heritage resources, the probability of sites containing significant heritage resources, and areas of popular use such as trails and campsites.

Visitors are informed through a variety of media and materials, as well as a limited number and kind of outlets, to expect basic amenities. Acquiring the most complete and current information typically requires contacting a Forest Service employee or visiting a Forest Service office. Basic information is available at visitor information outlets in and near the Forest. Signs permit navigation with minimal concern or confusion. Visitors are not expected to be very self-reliant, and supplies or services are usually available nearby at private businesses. Visitor satisfaction and expectations are routinely monitored on- site with voluntary response cards and personal contacts. Search, rescue, and recovery operations are available quickly and motorized operations are not constrained by Plan direction.

Facilities include a mix of structural and non-structural types. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. In these areas, existing facilities are well-maintained and new facilities are provided with strong safeguards for the quality of the recreation experience and environmental values. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is incrementally changed in response to visitor demand and expectations but facilities on private lands are not duplicated. Facilities may be staffed during daylight hours during the entire recreation season and, where camping is available, a contact person may be available twenty-four hours a day in season on a volunteer, partnership or similar basis. Security is primarily on a routine patrol basis.

GOALS Goal-8.D-01 Meet the USFWS Revised Recovery Plan (2003) population objective of 250 breeding pairs for the combined Oconee National Forest and Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in cooperation with the Piedmont Refuge.

Goal-8.D-02 Restore lightning-ignition, growing season fire as an ecological dynamic in the RCW HMA and Sub-HMA.

OBJECTIVES OBJ-8.D-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in mid- to late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 20 percent of forested acres in late-

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successional forest, including old growth; and 4 to 10 percent per 8.D AND 8.D.1 decade in early-successional forest. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER OBJ-8.D-02 Achieve a total of at least 42 active clusters; that is, an increase of 22 HABITAT clusters over the 2002 level, within 13 years of Plan implementation. MANAGEMENT (based on 2003 RCW Recovery plan ACT) AREAS

OBJ-8.D-03 Provide an annual supply of unoccupied recruitment clusters equal to 10 percent of total active clusters in the population on the HMA and SubHMA combined each containing either three suitable artificial cavities and two starts, or four suitable cavities.

OBJ-8.D-04 Provide 120 acres of foraging habitat meeting the standards for ‘good quality’ for each active cluster and recruitment stand within seven years of Plan implementation. Do nothing to limit foraging habitat except as provided for under accelerated pine restoration.

OBJ-8.D-05 Within the Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Management Area (MRx 8.D and 8.D.1 combined), manage to keep the Southern Pine Beetle hazard rating at Low in any year.

OBJ-8.D-06 Prescribe burn approximately 16,000 acres on the Oconee annually within the RCW HMA (MRx 8.D and 8.D.1 combined) using both dormant and growing season burns. This average annual acreage should result in fire return periods of 1-5 years in suitable habitats.

OBJ-8.D-07 Reach and maintain through natural increase and/or augmentation by translocation a five-year rolling average annual increase in the existing RCW population of between 5 and 10 percent

OBJ-8.D-08 Within the RCW HMA (MRx 8.D and 8.D.1 combined) annually thin an average of 2,500 acres of pine cover type for each of the first seven years of plan implementation and thereafter at a rate that will maintain southern pine beetle hazard at Low.

OBJ-8.D-09 Within the RCW HMA (MRx 8.D and 8.D.1 combined) regenerate an average of 425 acres annually of pine cover type.during this plan cycle.

OBJ-8.D-10 Within the RCW HMA (MRx 8.D and 8.D.1 combined) control midstory vegetation on 4,000 acres annually during this plan cycle.

OBJ-8.D-11 Develop implementation guidance for restoration of longleaf pine as RCW habitat within three years of plan implementation.

OBJ-8.D-12 Meet Forest Service requirements for the use of managed natural ignition fire within three years of plan implementation.

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8.D AND 8.D.1 RED-COCKADED STANDARDS FOR 8.D AND 8.D.1 WOODPECKER HABITAT MANAGEMENT Lands and Special Uses AREAS 8.D-001 New utility corridors or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 8.D-002 Using stipulations such as no-surface occupancy, controlled surface use, and timing limitations, or lease terms to protect the habitat, Federal mineral leases would be allowed.

8.D-003 Mineral material authorizations with conditions to protect habitats in the area would be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 8.D-004 Manage the MRx area to provide a minimum of 120 acres of “good quality foraging habitat,” as defined in the current Revised Recovery Plan, for each active and recruitment cluster.

Short Long- Term Term 2002 Population Population RCW Active Objective Objective Population HMA Clusters (breeding pairs) (breeding pairs) Designation Oconee/Hitchiti 20 25 176 Recovery

8.D-005 Insect and disease outbreaks will be controlled when necessary to protect RCW habitat and populations; to reduce hazards to visitors; for safety or legal reasons; to protect adjacent resources; or to protect ecosystem composition, structure, and function. 8.D-006 Recognize that beyond 60 years high hazard littleleaf soils are incapable of supporting sustainable high-quality RCW nesting habitat and reforest to loblolly or shortleaf pine only if necessary to meet RCW foraging habitat requirements.

Fire Management 8.D-007 Protect cavity trees from fire during prescribed burning operations.

8.D-008 Do not cut cavity trees or start trees killed by insects, disease, lightening or other causes.

Recreation 8.D-009 Dispersed recreation activities away from RCW cluster sites would be permitted.

8.D-010 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1 and RN2.

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8.D AND 8.D.1 8.D-011 Existing four-wheel-drive roads are allowed on a case-by-case basis. RED-COCKADED Existing connecting trails to ATV and motorcycle routes are allowed on a WOODPECKER case-by-case basis. OHV systems are not an emphasis. HABITAT MANAGEMENT Scenery AREAS 8.D-012 Management activi ties are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M L L L L L Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 8.D.013 Do not build system roads or motorized system trails inside of or within 500 feet of RCW cluster sites.

Timber Management 8.D-014 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production, except that cluster sites, replacement stands, and recruitment stands are unsuitable, not appropriate for timber production.

Successional Stage Management 8.D-015 Creation of early-successional habitat is limited to a maximum of 10 percent of forested acres within this prescription. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early-successional forest creation.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Protection 8.D-016 Use only two-aged or uneven-aged silvicultural systems to regenerate RCW habitat, where native pine (not off-site pine species) forests are present.

8.D-017 Due to high risk for SPB and littleleaf, the 80-year rotation age option for shortleaf pines and loblolly pine will be used.

8.D-018 Retain 40 square feet of basal area in regeneration areas as required for MIL 4.

8.D-019 Limit regeneration areas in native (not off-site pine species) pine and pine-hardwood stands to 25 acres maximum size as required for MIL 4. . 8.D-020 Use even-aged or two-aged silvicultural systems to restore native pine species to suitable sites. All existing trees of the desired species shall be retained except where distribution is clumped and basal area is >70 square feet. These clumps may be thinned to improve habitat conditions.

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8.D AND 8.D.1 8.D-021 During silvicultural treatments, retain as first priority old, flat-topped RED-COCKADED relict trees, potential cavity trees, and scarred old pines. WOODPECKER

HABITAT 8.D-022 Where uneven-aged management is used to manage RCW habitat, 20 or MANAGEMENT more trees per acre of pines at least 14” dbh and 60 years of age are AREAS retained within foraging habitat.

8.D-023 Where uneven-aged management is used to manage RCW habitat, in active and recruitment clusters retain 5 or more trees per acre of pines at least 120 years of age for longleaf and shortleaf pine, or 100 years of age for loblolly, slash, or pond pine.

8.D-024 Emphasize restoration of native pine types. Pine can be restored at an accelerated rate in areas more than 1.5 air miles from active clusters. The 0 – 10 and 0 – 30 year age classes cannot exceed 10 percent and 30 percent respectively over the next 20 years. Foraging habitat for recruitment clusters more than 1.5 air miles from an active cluster can be reduced by 50 percent. 8.D-025 Place recruitment clusters (a set of clusters in suitable habitat somewhat removed from other groups) no closer than one-quarter (0.25) mile and no farther than two miles from existing active clusters, except that recruitment clusters for use in reintroduction or the development of new population segments must be highly aggregated.

8.D-026 Increase the number of recruitment clusters above 10 percent when reintroduction or the development of new population segments is being done.

STANDARDS SPECIFIC TO 8.D.1

Recreation

8.D.1-001 Recreational facilities will not be developed that direct visitor use within an RCW cluster site or within 300 feet of it. Pre-existing recreation use may be constrained if a cluster becomes established within this distance.

Timber Management

8.D.1-002 Do not reforest sites rated high hazard for littleleaf with shortleaf pine.

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8.E.3 8.E.3 HIGH-ELEVATION, EARLY-SUCCESSIONAL HIGH-ELEVATION, EARLY- HABITAT SUCCESSIONAL HABITAT High elevation early successional habitat is associated with bird species of conservation concern. The Chattahoochee National Forest accounts for about 96.9 percent of all land in Georgia over 3,000 feet. Approximately 52,000 acres of that, or 47.5 percent, is unavailable for sustained habitat management due to previous withdrawals above the authority of the Regional Forester. Of the remaining 52.5-percent, excluding steep slope and AT corridor results in about 18-percent available. This prescription is designed to meet conservation concerns on the very limited land area.

EMPHASIS Sustain a distribution of early-successional grass/shrub and seedling/sapling habitat in high elevations (3,000 feet and higher). These areas will be managed to create and maintain a structurally diverse landscape with a mix of forest successional conditions.

DESIRED CONDITION The area contains a mix of forest successional classes. The mix of the different forest communities will depend on the land type associations and elevations in which this prescription is applied. Communities are structurally diverse, with occasional gaps in the canopy occurring from natural events. There is evidence of forest management activities (i.e., tree stumps or closed access roads) in the area. The development of permanent forest openings containing native vegetation may occur. The early successional patches will contain a mix of herbaceous and shrub/sapling areas with mid- to late-successional forest communities making up a smaller proportion of the area.

Visitors are informed to expect limited, rustic amenities. Acquiring current information typically requires contacting the Forest Service by phone or visiting a Forest Service office. Signs are few but adequate to guide visitors from state or county roads. Visitors are usually expected to be rather self-reliant and well prepared. Intrepretive services may be provided communicating the importance of the habitat. Monitoring of visitor satisfaction and expectations is on a special study or incidental basis. Search and rescue is not readily available. When needed, motorized operations are usually constrained by requirements on a case-by-case basis. Environmental effects of recovery operations are planned to be minimal and promptly rehabilitated.

The landscape character is natural appearing. Natural processes are the primary agents of strong change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural appearing managed change occurs, but affects a limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low to moderate contrast and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management usually does not occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change.

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8.E.3 rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, are usually in HIGH-ELEVATION, response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity. EARLY- Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting SUCCESSIONAL visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more HABITAT amenities.

All vegetation management would be based upon the desired future conditions for the various species that require higher elevation structural diversity. The desired terrestrial conditions will provide moderate- to high-quality watershed conditions in those watersheds where applied. The resulting landscape structure of this allocation provides a forest matrix considered marginal for linking the large- and medium-sized old-growth patches.

The range of canopy breaks includes infrequent insect or disease-killed groups and salvage harvests of up to several acres, habitat harvest patches of approximately thirty acres, and rare large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

These areas will be characterized by a mix of forest successional stages, with an emphasis on early-successional forests. Mid- and late-successional forests will be common, but 10 to 17 percent of forested land may be in early-successional forest conditions. Early-successional forest patches vary in size, but may be larger than 30 acres to provide optimal conditions for dependent species. Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by management actions will be clustered on the landscape to mimic natural processes or to maintain blocks of late- successional forest, and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

Rare communities and associated species would continue to exist in the area, including disturbance-dependent communities that require active management.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

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8.E.3 HIGH-ELEVATION, OBJECTIVE EARLY- SUCCESSIONAL OBJ-8.E.3-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 20 HABITAT percent of forested acres in mid- to late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 10 percent of forested acres in late- successional forest, including old growth; and 10 to 17 percent per decade in early-successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 8.E.3-001 New utility corridor or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 8.E.3-002 Using lease terms to protect habitat, Federal mineral leases would be allowed.

8.E.3-003 Mineral material authorizations would be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 8.E.3-004 Stands may be actively managed to reduce the risks and hazards of damage from native and nonnative invasive pests.

8.E.3-005 Indigenous forest pests are kept within acceptable levels through integrated pest management techniques.

8.E.3-006 Forest pests not native to the area are minimized through judicious use of controls, silvicultural practices, and timely salvage of damaged tree. Actions need to be consistent with Forest service policy, Gypsy Moth EIS, and SPB EIS.

8.E.3-007 To achieve the structural habitat conditions for ruffed grouse, less than 20 sq. ft./acre residual basal area is retained in even-aged and two- aged regeneration units, with oaks of mast producing size favored as residuals.

Recreation 8.E.3-008 ROS settings would be RN1 and RN2.

8.E.3-009 Existing trails connecting to OHV routes may be allowed on a case-by- case basis. OHV systems are not an emphasis. There may be some seasonal restrictions.

8.E.3-010 OHVs: Existing four-wheel-drive roads may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. No new OHV trails.

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8.E.3 HIGH-ELEVATION, Scenery EARLY- 8.E.3-011 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following SUCCESSIONAL Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class. HABITAT Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M L L L L L Objectives

Timber Management 8.E.3-012 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

Successional Stage Management 8.E.3-013 Creation of early-successional habitat is limited to 17 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than 2 acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

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9.A.1 9.A.1 SOURCE WATER PROTECTION WATERSHEDS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION WATERSHEDS The areas managed for source water protection are:

Upper Etowah River – Camp Frank Merrill Davidson Creek – City of Toccoa (backup reservoir) Yahoola Creek – City of Dahlonega, Lumpkin County

EMPHASIS The primary management emphasis for these areas is to maintain healthy watersheds that provide water for withdrawal for treatment and municipal use.

DESIRED CONDITION Management will occur to restore watershed function where human activities (i.e., roads, trails, or dispersed sites) are degrading or have degraded water quality. Water quality will meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and applicable Georgia public drinking water regulations.

Recreation experience will be provided in a landscape character that will be natural appearing. Human activities may be evident in some places. Visitors will occasionally see other people especially near the few open roads in this area. A non-motorized trail system will provide the predominant means of access. Closed roads will be available for non- motorized uses. Recreation emphasis will be dispersed, such as backpacking, bird watching, dispersed camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing.

Visitors are informed to expect limited, rustic amenities. Acquiring current information typically requires contacting the Forest Service by phone or visiting a Forest Service office. Signs are few but adequate to guide visitors from state or county roads. Visitors are expected to be rather self-reliant and well prepared. Monitoring of visitor satisfaction and expectations is on a special study or incidental basis. Search and rescue is not readily available. When needed, motorized operations are usually constrained by requirements for special case-by-case permissions. Environmental effects of recovery operations are planned to be minimal and promptly rehabilitated. Unneeded roads would be decommissioned and managed for foot travel.

The primary landscape character is natural-appearing with natural processes the dominant agents of strong change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural-appearing managed change occurs but affects a very limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is rare.

Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Sediment from roads or trails is not reaching streams. Total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section but half or less of the road mileage is open roads.

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9.A.1 Management is constrained to remain compatible with the existing recreation opportunity SOURCE WATER spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. The recreation use emphasis PROTECTION is on dispersed activities such as hunting, fishing, or hiking but localized and limited WATERSHEDS development facilitates those uses.

The mix and types of forest communities will depend on the landtype associations in which this prescription is applied. Forest management activities such as prescribed fire and silvicultural treatments may be used to restore riparian ecosystems and maintain a healthy forest within the watershed. Wild land fires are generally controlled to minimize fire intensity and overall acreage burned.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained, but no expansion of openings or creation of new permanent openings of this type occurs. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Human-caused and naturally-created forest openings with trees less than 10 years old will occur on up to 4 percent of the land area of each aggregated or contiguous block of this management prescription. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres. The range of canopy breaks includes common small gaps created by individual tree mortality, infrequent insect or disease- killed groups up to several acres, infrequent timber harvest units of approximately thirty acres, and infrequent large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire.

Aquatic habitats and associated species within or downstream of this area will be maintained or improved due to the resulting terrestrial and riparian conditions within this prescription.

Streams and water bodies are regularly and frequently inventoried and monitored on an individual stream basis to characterize conditions or trends. Streams and water bodies are protected from adverse effects. Aquatic habitat management activities are allowed to maintain, restore and enhance aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

OBJECTIVES OBJ-9.A.1-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including

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9.A.1 old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in late- SOURCE WATER successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per PROTECTION decade in early-successional forest. WATERSHEDS OBJ-9.A.1-02 Any specific soil and water mitigation needed (in addition to the Forest Plan direction) for source water protection watersheds will be determined as watershed assessment and project planning are completed.

STANDARDS

Water Quality 9.A.1-001 Water quality will meet or exceed the standards mandated by the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act.

9.A.1-002 Determine any specific soil and water mitigation needed (in addition to the Forest Plan direction) for source water protection watersheds as watershed assessment and project planning are completed.

Lands and Special Uses 9.A.1-003 New utility corridors or communication sites generally will not be authorized within this watershed. Existing uses will be monitored for compatibility with the goals and objectives of this prescription prior to reauthorization.

Minerals and Geology 9.A.1-004 Using no-surface occupancy stipulations, Federal mineral leases would be allowed.

9.A.1-005 Mineral material authorizations to administer the watershed and to restore riparian areas may be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 9.A.1-006 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled where they threaten the forested condition of the watershed on public or private lands, where TES or locally rare species and their habitats may be adversely impacted, to reduce hazards to visitors, or as needed for safety and legal reasons.

9.A.1-007 Eradication may be considered for newly discovered nonnative invasive pests.

9.A.1-008 Biological control may be considered for established nonnative pests through the release of natural enemies.

9.A.1-009 Salvage timber may be cut and removed after a catastrophe or to control an insect outbreak.

9.A.1-010 Broadcast application of herbicides will not occur except in epidemic non-native invasive plant species situations.

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9.A.1 9.A.1-011 Aerial application of pesticides will be used only if epidemic conditions SOURCE WATER occur. Actions need to be consistent with Forest Service policy, Gypsy PROTECTION Moth EIS, and SPB EIS. WATERSHEDS Fire Management 9.A.1-012 Use the minimum amount of ground, vegetation, or stream disturbance that is effective to achieve fire management objectives.

Recreation

9.A.1-013 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN2, SPM and SPNM.

9.A.1-014 Existing four-wheel drive roads and trails will be decommissioned. There will be no new designated OHV trails.

Scenery 9.A.1-015 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M M M M M M Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 9.A.1-016 The density of open roads over which the Forest Service has jurisdiction will be maintained at no more than 1.5 miles per 1,000 acres at the scale of this prescription for each watershed.

Timber Management 9.A.1-017 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

Succession Stage Management 9.A.1-018 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

9.A.1-019 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

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9.A.3 9.A.3 WATERSHED RESTORATION AREAS WATERSHED RESTORATION The areas managed for watershed restoration are within the following watersheds, which AREAS are described in Chapter 4:

Tallulah River Chattooga River – North, East, West Forks Tugaloo River/Panther Creek Broad River – North Fork

EMPHASIS Management emphasis would be on improving conditions where past land uses have degraded water quality or soil productivity. The long-term goal of these watersheds is to showcase restored and resilient watersheds where proper multiple use management practices are applied. When this goal is achieved, these watersheds are allocated to a different management prescription.

DESIRED CONDITION Aquatic habitats and associated species within or downstream of this area will be improved due to terrestrial and riparian conditions within this prescription area. The aquatic habitats will be capable of supporting optimal populations of aquatic species, which reflect the respective habitat associations.

Visitors are informed to expect limited, rustic amenities. Acquiring current information typically requires contacting the Forest Service by phone or visiting a Forest Service office. Signs are few but adequate to guide visitors from state or county roads. Visitors are expected to be rather self-reliant and well prepared. Visitor expectations and satisfaction are monitored. Search and rescue is not readily available. When needed, motorized operations are usually constrained by requirements for special case-by-case permissions. Environmental effects of recovery operations are planned to be minimal and promptly rehabilitated.

Facilities are primarily non-structural; for example, roads, trails, tables, tent pads, etc. Structures are uncommon. Access may be possible by passenger car in good weather, but roads are not designed or maintained for them. Unneeded roads will be decommissioned. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Sediment from roads or trails is not reaching streams. Total system road density is approximately equal to the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. However, open roads are a lesser proportion than average. In these areas existing facilities are maintained above a resource protection level but without a strong emphasis on visitor expectations. Capacity of facilities is typically low and they are rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, are usually in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more amenities.

Management is constrained to remain compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. The recreation use emphasis

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9.A.3 is on dispersed activities such as hunting, fishing, or hiking, but localized and limited WATERSHED development facilitates those uses. RESTORATION AREAS These areas will be characterized by approximately 85 percent or more of the forest cover being mid-successional, late-successional, or potential old growth forests. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will periodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres, but the severity of effect will be moderated using low intensity management. The range of canopy breaks includes frequent small gaps created by individual tree mortality, occasional insect or disease-killed groups up to several acres, infrequent timber harvest units of approximately thirty acres, to rare large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire. The mix and types of forest communities will depend on the landtype associations where this prescription occurs. Rare communities will be restored, maintained, or enhanced.

Streams and water bodies are regularly and frequently inventoried and monitored on an individual stream basis to characterize stream conditions or trends. Streams and water bodies are protected from adverse effects. Aquatic habitat management activities are allowed to maintain, restore and enhance aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-9.A.3-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in late- successional forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early-successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 9.A.3-001 New utility corridor or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

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Minerals and Geology 9.A.3 WATERSHED 9.A.3-002 Using no-surface occupancy or controlled surface use stipulations or RESTORATION lease terms, Federal mineral leases would be allowed. AREAS

9.A.3-003 Mineral material authorizations to administer the watershed and to restore riparian areas may be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 9.A.3-004 Insect and disease outbreaks may be controlled where they threaten the forested condition of the watershed on public or private lands, where TES or locally rare species and their habitats may be adversely impacted, to reduce hazards to visitors, or as needed for safety and legal reasons.

9.A.3-005 Eradication may be used for nonnative invasive pests.

9.A.3-006 Biological control may be considered for established nonnative pests through the release of natural enemies.

9.A.3-007 Salvage timber may be cut and removed after a catastrophe or to control an insect outbreak.

9.A.3-008 Broadcast application of herbicides will not occur except in epidemic non-native invasive plant species situations.

9.A.3-009 Aerial application of pesticides will be used only if epidemic conditions occur. Actions need to be consistent with Forest Service policy, Gypsy Moth EIS, and SPB EIS.

Recreation 9.A.3-010 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1 and RN2.

9.A.3-011 Existing four-wheel-drive roads and existing trails connecting to OHV routes will be allowed on a case-by-case. There will be an emphasis on monitoring and repairing or closing existing trails.

9.A.3-012 There will be no new designated OHV trails.

Scenery 9.A.3-013 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M M M M L L Objectives

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9.A.3 WATERSHED Facilities, Roads, and Access RESTORATION 9.A.3-014 The density of open roads over which the Forest Service has jurisdiction AREAS will be maintained at no more than 1.5 miles per 1,000 acres at the scale of this prescription for each watershed.

Timber Management 9.A.3-015 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

Successional Stage Management 9.A.3-016 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than 2 acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

9.A.3-017 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

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9.F RARE 9.F RARE COMMUNITIES COMMUNITIES

EMPHASIS Rare communities are assemblages of plants and animals that occupy a small portion of the landscape, but contribute significantly to plant and animal diversity. They generally are limited in number of occurrences, are small in size, and have relatively discrete boundaries. Rare communities, wherever they occur on the forest, will be managed under this prescription to ensure their contribution to meeting goals for community diversity, endangered and threatened species recovery, and species viability. All known rare community sites are allocated to this prescription. As new rare community sites are found, they will be added to this prescription without plan amendment, unless such additions would result in large shifts in land allocation or expected benefits and outputs.

DESIRED CONDITION Rare communities exhibit the composition, structure, and function necessary to support vigorous populations of species characteristic of the community, including relevant federally-listed threatened and endangered species, and species at risk of losing viability. Ecological disturbances are at the frequency and intensity needed to maintain desired composition, structure, and function. Generally, natural forces are sufficient to maintain these conditions; however, in some cases environmental factors have changed to the extent that natural processes are prevented or hindered from maintaining the community. In these cases, management activities used to restore or maintain desired conditions, such as prescribed burning or vegetation cutting, may be evident.

Beyond restoration and maintenance activities, human-caused alteration of rare communities is not evident. Recreational access may be limited by signs and barriers where necessary to protect community integrity. Interpretive signs or other information may be made available where it is likely to promote public knowledge of rare communities and improve community protection.

Only exterior boundary roads or pre-existing ‘pass-through’ roads are open to public use. Access roads to the boundary are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area.

The following rare communities are covered by this prescription:

Wetland Communities

Appalachian Highlands Bogs, Fens, Seeps, and Ponds These rare communities are characterized by 1) soils that are semi-permanently to permanently saturated as a result of groundwater seepage, perched water tables, rainfall, or beaver activity, but otherwise are generally nonalluvial; and 2) presence of wetland- associated species such as sphagnum, ferns, and sedges. Dominant vegetation may be herbs, shrubs, trees, or some complex of the three. Ponds in this group include limesink, karst, and depression ponds, which may hold areas of shallow open water for significant portions of the year. Also included are all impoundments and associated wetlands resulting from beaver activity. Artificial impoundments are not included unless they support significant populations or associations of species at risk. These communities may

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9.F be found in both the Appalachian and Piedmont regions. Primary management needs are RARE protection from non-target management disturbance and resource impacts, particularly COMMUNITIES to local hydrology. Periodic vegetation management may be necessary to maintain desired herbaceous and/or shrubby composition at some sites. These communities include Mafic and Calcareous Fens, Sphagnum and Shrub Bogs, Swamp Forest-Bog Complex, Mountain Ponds, Seasonally Dry Sinkhole Ponds, and Beaver Pond and Wetland Complex as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and all Associations within the following Ecological Groups as defined by NatureServe (2001a): 458-15 Appalachian Highlands Wooded Depression Ponds 458-2 Appalachian and Interior Highlands Limesink and Karst Wooded Ponds 470-10 Appalachian Highlands Forested Bogs 470-20 Appalachian Highlands Forested Acid Seeps 470-50 Appalachian Highlands Forested Fens and Calcareous Seeps 475-10 Appalachian Highlands Acid Herbaceous Seeps 475-20 Appalachian Highlands Alkaline Herbaceous Fens and Seeps 475-30 Appalachian and Interior Highlands Herbaceous Depression Ponds and Pondshores

Appalachian Highlands Riverine Vegetation These rare communities are characterized by 1) sites adjacent to or within stream channels that are exposed to periodic flooding and scour, and 2) presence of significant populations or associations of species at risk. These communities may be found in both Appalachian and Piedmont regions. Primary management needs are protection from disturbance during development of road crossings, and maintenance of desirable in- stream flows. These communities include River Gravel-Cobble Bars as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and the rare Associations within the following Ecological Groups as defined by NatureServe (2001a): 457-10 Appalachian Highlands Riverine Vegetation 457-30 Rocky Riverbeds 457-40 Appalachian Highlands Riverscour Vegetation

Forest Communities

Table Mountain Pine Forest and Woodland This community is characterized by a dominant or significant component of table mountain pine (Pinus pungens) in the overstory often in combination with pitch pine (Pinus rigida). It is found in the Appalachian region. Primary management needs are maintenance and expansion of existing occurrences, using thinning and prescribed fire. This community corresponds to Table Mountain Pine/Pitch Pine Woodlands as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and all Associations within the following Ecological Group as defined by NatureServe (2001a): 401-80 Appalachian Highlands Pitch and Table Mountain Pine Woodlands

Basic Mesic Forests These communities are characterized by a complex multi-storied deciduous canopy and rich and diverse understories of calciphilic herbs, underlain by high-base geologic substrates. On moderate to high elevation sites, these communities are typically found in protected coves, and can be distinguished from more acidic mesic cove forests by the abundance of species such as white basswood (Tilia americana), yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava), black walnut (Juglans nigra), faded trillium (Trillium discolor), sweet white trillium (Trillium simile), black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), whorled horsebalm (Collinsonia verticillata), mock orange

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9.F (Philadelphus inodorus), sweet shrub (Calycanthus floridus), sweet cicely (Ozmorhiza RARE spp.), doll’s eyes (Actaea racemosa), maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), and plantain- leaved sedge (Carex plantaginea). Good examples of moderate and high elevation basic COMMUNITIES mesic forests have a low incidence of white pine (Pinus strobus), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.), and Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). An oak-dominanted variant of moderate to high elevation basic mesic forest occurs over limestone on upper to mid slopes of the Interior Plateau of Tennessee, the Cumberlands of Alabama, and the Ridge and Valley of Georgia. This basic mesic community is dominated or codominated by shumard oak (Quercus shumardii) or chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), in combination with various species of oaks and hickories and either sugar maple (Acer saccharum), chalk maple (Acer leucoderme), or southern sugar maple (Acer barbatum). Typical calciphilic understory species also are present.

On lower elevation sites, these communities are more typically found on north slopes, where dominant and characteristic overstory species are American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and northern red oak (Quercus rubra), with tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), white oak (Quercus alba), shagbark hickory (), or white ash (), with southern sugar maple, chalk maple, painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica), and pawpaw (Asimina triloba) in the midstory and shrub layers, and understories that include faded trillium, nodding trillium (Trillium rugelii), black cohosh, doll’s eyes, foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia var. collina), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), bellworts (Uvularia sp.) and trout lilies (Erythronium spp.). Good examples of low elevation basic mesic forests have a low incidence of sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and exotics such as Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) or Chinese privet (Lingustrum vulgare).

Basic mesic forest communities are found in both the Appalachian and Piedmont regions. Provisions of the Rare Community Prescription apply only to prime examples of this community that support significant populations or associations of species of viability concern. Primary management needs are protection from nontarget management disturbance. This community includes the following Associations defined by NatureServe (2001a, 2001b): CEGL007711 Southern Appalachian Cove Forest (Rich Foothills Type), CEGL007695 Southern Appalachian Cove Forest (Rich Montane Type), CEGL008442 Shumard Oak-Chinquapin Oak Mesic Limestone Forest CEGL008466 Basic Piedmont Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest CEGL008488 Southern Ridge and Valley Basic Mesic Hardwood Forest CEGL004542 Piedmont Rocky Mesic Mafic Forest.

Cliffs and Rock Outcrops

Talus Slopes This community is characterized by non-vegetated or sparsely vegetated accumulations of rock at 2,500 to 4,600 feet elevation. It is found in the Appalachian region. It is distinguished from Forested Boulderfields by the lack of trees. It is distinguished from rocky summits by its occurrence on side slopes as opposed to ridges and peaks. Primary management needs are protection from non-target management disturbance. This community includes Talus Slopes as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and all Associations within the following Ecological Group as defined by NatureServe (2001a): 430-10 Eastern Acid Talus

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9.F RARE Forested Boulderfields This community is characterized by rock fields, found at 3,500 to 5,300 feet elevation, COMMUNITIES that support a variable density of trees, typically dominated by yellow birch. It is distinguished from talus slopes by the presence of trees. It is found in the Appalachian region. Primary management needs are protection from nontarget management disturbance. This community includes Boulderfields as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and the following Associations as defined by NatureServe (2001a, 2001b): CEGL004982 Southern Appalachian Hardwood Boulderfield Forest (Typic Type) CEGL006124 Southern Appalachian Boulderfield Forest (Currant and Rockcap Fern Type)

Cliffs and Bluffs These communities are characterized by steep, rocky, sparsely-vegetated slopes, usually above streams or rivers. Cliff communities may be dry or wet, and include communities associated with waterfalls, such as spray cliffs and rock houses. These communities are found in the Appalachian region. Primary management needs are protection from management disturbance and maintenance of hydrology near wet cliffs. This community includes Calcareous Cliffs, Mafic Cliffs, Sandstone Cliffs, and Spray Cliffs as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and all Associations within the following Ecological Groups as defined by NatureServe (2001a): 430-40 Eastern Dry Acid Cliffs 430-45 Eastern Moist Acid Cliffs 430-50 Eastern Dry Alkaline Cliffs 430-55 Eastern Moist Alkaline Cliffs 430-60 Appalachain Highlands Northern White-Cedar Bluffs 430-65 Appalachian Highlands Rock Houses

Rock Outcrops These communities are characterized by significant areas of exposed, usually smooth, exfoliating granite or related rocks, with scattered vegetation mats and abundant lichens. These communities are found in both the Appalachian and Piedmont regions. Primary management needs are protection from nontarget management disturbance and recreational impacts. This community includes Granitic Dome and Granitic Flatrock as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and all Associations within the following Ecological Groups as defined by NatureServe (2001a): 435-10 Appalachian Highlands Granitic Domes 435-20 Appalachian Highlands Grantic Flatrock

Rocky Summits This community is characterized by sparsely vegetated outcrops of fractured, irregular rock found above 4,000 feet elevation on peaks, ridges, and upper slopes. It is distinguished from rock outcrop communities by its fractured, irregular rock surface, and from talus slopes and cliff communities by its topographic position on or near summits. It differs from forested boulderfields in its general lack of forest cover. This community is found in the Appalachian region. Primary management needs are protection from recreational impacts. This community includes High Elevation Rocky Summits as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and all Associations within the following Ecological Group as defined by NatureServe (2001a): 436-30 Appalachian Highlands Rocky Summits

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Other Communities 9.F RARE Glades, Barrens, and Associated Woodlands COMMUNITIES These communities are characterized by thin soils and exposed parent material that result in localized complexes of bare soil and rock, herbaceous and/or shrubby vegetation, and thin, often stunted woods. During wet periods they may include scattered shallow pools or areas of seepage. They vary widely in species composition depending on the type of underlying parent material. They differ from rock outcrop communities by exhibiting some level of soil and vegetation over the majority of the site. Field delineations should include the entire complex of characteristic vegetation composition and structure. These communities may be found in both Appalachian and Piedmont regions. Primary management needs are protection from recreational impacts and non- target management disturbance. Periodic vegetation management, especially prescribed fire, may be necessary to maintain or restore desired herbaceous and/or shrubby composition. These communities include Calcareous Woodlands and Glades, Mafic Woodlands and Glades, Serpentine Woodlands and Glades, and Shale Barrens as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and the rare Associations within the following Ecological Groups as defined by NatureServe (2001a): 401-17 Appalachian Highlands Calcareous/Circumneutral Dry-Mesic Hardwood Forests and Woodlands 440-05 Appalachian Highlands Carbonate Glades and Barrens 440-10 Interior Highlands Carbonate Glades and Barrens 440-25 Appalachian Sandstone Glades and Barrens 440-40 Appalachian Shale Glades and Barrens 440-65 Appalachian Serpentine Woodlands 440-80 Appalachian Mafic Igneous/Metamorphic Glades and Barrens

Balds These communities are of two types: grassy balds and shrub (or heath) balds. Grassy balds are characterized by extensive areas dominated by herbaceous vegetation at high elevations (generally above 5,000 feet). They generally are found on ridgetops, domes, and gentle slopes. Shrub balds are typically found on steep exposed slopes and ridges at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 6,500 feet, and are characterized by dominance of ericaceous shrubs. These communities are found in the Appalachian region. Primary management needs are protection from recreational impacts and maintenance of desired vegetation using a variety of methods. This community includes Grassy Balds and Heath Balds as defined in the Southern Appalachian Assessment (SAMAB 1996), and all Associations within the following Ecological Groups as defined by NatureServe (2001a): 436-10 Appalachian Highlands Grassy Balds 436-20 Appalachian Highlands Shrub Balds

Canebrakes This community is characterized by almost monotypic stands of giant or switch cane (Arundinaria gigantea), usually with no or low densities of overstory tree canopy. It is typically found in bottomlands or stream terraces. Although cane is found commonly as an understory component on these sites, provisions of the Rare Community Prescription apply only to larger patches (generally greater than 0.25 acres) exhibiting high densities that result in nearly monotypic conditions, or to areas selected for restoration of such conditions. This community is found in the Appalachian, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain regions. Primary management needs are restoration and maintenance through overstory reduction and periodic prescribed fire. Although several Associations described by NatureServe (2001a, 2001b) include cane as a major component, this community most closely corresponds to: CEGL003836 Floodplain Canebrake

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9.F Caves and Mines RARE This community is characterized by natural and human-made openings in the ground that COMMUNITIES extend beyond the zone of light, creating sites buffered in relation to the outside environment. Karst and sinkhole features that lead to such subterranean environments are included. Provisions of the Rare Community Prescription apply only to those sites supporting cave-associated species. This community is found in the Appalachian region. Primary management needs are protection from non-target management disturbance and recreational impacts, and maintaining quality of water flowing into underground streams.

OBJECTIVES AND STANDARDS THAT APPLY GENERALLY TO RARE COMMUNITIES Note: Refer also to objectives and standards in the Rare Communities section of chapter 2, Forestwide Direction

9.F OBJECTIVES OBJ-9.F-01 Based on periodic monitoring of known rare community sites, identify management activities needed to maintain or restore characteristic structure, composition, and function of these communities, and implement an annual program of work designed to meet these needs.

OBJ-9.F-02 Create and maintain a geo-referenced rare communities database within seven years of plan implementation.

STANDARDS 9.F-001 Rare communities are protected from any detrimental effects caused by management actions or inaction. Site-specific analysis of proposed manage-ment actions will identify any protective measures needed in addition to Forest Plan standards, including the width of protective buffers where needed. Management activities occur within rare communities only where maintenance or restoration of rare community composition, structure, or function is expected.

9.F-002 Where recreational uses and/or sites are negatively affecting rare communities, they are modified to eliminate negative effects. New recreational developments are designed to avoid adverse effects to rare communities.

9.F-003 Do not develop new horse trails. Existing horse use will be phased out.

9.F-004 Do not develop new bike trails. Existing bike use will be phased out.

9.F-005 Nonnative invasive species are not intentionally introduced in or near rare communities, nor will management actions facilitate their inadvertent introduction.

9.F-006 Written permission from the District Ranger is required for collection of flora or fauna from rare communities and is not issued except for approved scientific purposes.

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9.F-007 Except for approved studies or needed community maintenance, 9.F removal of vegetative material in rare communities is prohibited. Where RARE needed to ensure public or employee safety, snags may be felled, but COMMUNITIES will be retained within the community as downed wood.

9.F-008 Rare communities restored to ecologically appropriate locations will be identified in planning data for allocation to, and management under, this prescription.

9.F-009 Use the minimum amount of ground, vegetation, or stream disturbance that is effective to achieve fire management objectives.

9.F-010 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production, not appropriate; however, sales may be used to further the rare community and associated terrestrial habitat goals and objectives.

9.F-011 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas

Community-Specific Objectives and Standards for Rare Communities

Wetland Communities As wetlands, these rare communities will fall within riparian corridors. Prescription 9.F standards would be applied in addition to riparian corridor provisions.

Standards 9.F-012 Management actions that may negatively alter the hydrologic conditions of wetland rare communities are prohibited. Such actions may include livestock grazing and construction of roads, plowed or bladed firelines, and impoundments in or near these communities. Exceptions may be made for actions designed to control impacts caused by beavers, or where needed to control fires to provide for public and employee safety and to protect private land resources.

9.F-013 Introducing fish into wetland rare communities is prohibited.

9.F-014 Beaver ponds and associated wetlands are normally protected as rare communities; however, beaver populations and dams may be managed to prevent negative effects to public safety, facilities, private land resources, and other rare communities. Where beaver wetlands and other rare communities are in conflict, decisions are based on the relative rarity of the communities and associated species involved, with the rarest elements receiving priority.

Barrens, Glades, and Associated Woodlands Barrens and glades will usually be found in relatively small discrete patches, but may be found within woodland complexes, which, if restored, may cover larger portions of the landscape. Definitions of these rare communities should be written to include only the small discrete patches. Recommendations for restoration of woodland habitats across the landscape are given under the section on major forest community types. Some maintenance and restoration activities (primarily fire) will likely be needed in these communities to limit encroachment of woody vegetation. General description of these

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9.F activities will be included in rare community definitions. Otherwise, generic rare RARE community direction is sufficient to provide for these communities. COMMUNITIES Table Mountain Pine Forests This rare community will often be found within a complex of table mountain, pitch, and shortleaf pine forests. The definition of this rare community will recognize only those patches dominated by table mountain pine.

Objectives OBJ-9.F-03 To restore table mountain pine forests on the Chattahoochee, reestablish these forest types on sites where they once likely occurred on 2,100 acres within the first 10 years of plan implementation.

OBJ-9.F-04 To maintain table mountain pine forests on the Chattahoochee in desired conditions:

• Thin over-story trees on an average of 100 acres per year of these forest types. • Reduce hardwood mid-story on an average of 100 acres per year of these forest types. • Prescribed burn an average of 200 acres of this type each year over the first ten years of plan implementation.

Standard 9.F-015 Table mountain pine will not be cut or treated during vegetation management activities in order to maintain future restoration opportunities. Exceptions may be made where needed to provide for public safety, protection of private resources, insect and disease control, or research.

Basic Mesic Forests This rare community occurs in “rich” coves within mixed mesophytic forests. Standard 9.F-016 Basic mesic forests are excluded from prescribed burning blocks where this can be accomplished without large increases in fireline construction. When necessary to include mesic deciduous forests within burning blocks, direct firing will not be done within these communities unless necessary to secure control lines. In these cases, only low intensity fires are allowed.

Rock Outcrops and Cliffs Cliff communities support several important rare species including some Federally-listed bats.

Standard 9.F-017 Mature forest cover is maintained within 100 feet slope distance from the top of cliffs and 200 feet slope distance from the base of cliffs to provide habitat for cliff-associated species. Within this zone, activities are limited to those needed to ensure public safety or to maintain or improve habitat for federally-listed species or other species whose viability is at risk

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9.F Balds RARE Balds will often require active management to maintain or restore, but methods may vary COMMUNITIES widely.

9.F-018 In the rare community ‘high-elevation bald’, firelines are plowed only when needed and are located at least 30 feet outside bald perimeters. Scarifying, ripping, raking, and disking tools are not used except to restore balds through seedbed preparation.

Canebrakes Canebrakes are important habitats for a number of species, and have declined in extent and quality greatly within historical times. Canebrake restoration efforts will occur on sites currently supporting cane. Management actions will be designed to increase the vigor, density, and area of existing patches of cane. Actions used to restore canebrakes will include prescribed burning on a 7 to 10 year return cycle, control of competing vegetation, and overstory reduction or removal. Suitable sites for canebrake restoration will almost always fall within riparian areas. Canebake restoration represents active management for riparian dependent resources. It is an appropriate action within riparian areas where compatible with other local riparian goals.

Objectives OBJ-9.F-05 Restore 200 acres of canebrake communities over the first ten years of plan implementation as follows: o 50 acres on the Chattahoochee, and o 150 acres on the Oconee.

OBJ-9.F-06 To maintain and restore canebrakes, prescribe burn an annual average of 5 acres on the Chattahoochee and 15 acres on the Oconee of this type over the first ten years of plan implementation.

Standard 9.F-019 Existing canebrakes and areas selected for canebrake restoration are excluded from livestock grazing.

Caves and Mines Definitions of this rare community will include mines that serve as habitat for cave- dependent species. See also species-specific recommendations for bats.

Objective OBJ-9.F-07 Within one year of discovery develop site-specific management plans for each significant cave to meet the intent of the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act.

Standards 9.F-020 As soon as possible following discovery, accessible caves and mines are surveyed to determine use by bats.

9.F-021 For all caves and mines suitable for supporting cave-dependent species, a minimum buffer of 200 feet is maintained around portals, and any associated sinkholes and cave collapse areas. Prohibited activities within this buffer include use of wheeled or tractor vehicles (except on existing roads or as needed for cave protection and maintenance activities), mechanical site preparation, vegetation cutting, recreation

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9.F site construction, tractor-constructed firelines, livestock grazing, RARE herbicide application, and construction of new roads (including COMMUNITIES temporary roads), skid trails, and log landings. Wider buffers are identified through site-specific analysis when necessary to protect cave and mines from subterranean and surface impacts, such as recreational disturbance, sedimentation and other adverse effects to water quality, and changes in air temperature and flow.

9.F-022 Use of caves for disposal sites or alteration of cave entrances is prohibited, except for construction of appropriate cave gates or closures. Where previously-modified entrances are causing adverse impacts to cave fauna, entrances are restored to eliminate adverse effects.

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9.H 9.H MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION OF PLANT ASSOCIATIONS TO AND RESTORATION OF THEIR ECOLOGICAL POTENTIAL PLANT ASSOCIATIONS

EMPHASIS The purpose of this prescription is the restoration of historical plant associations and their ecological dynamics to ecologically appropriate locations. Focus is on: (1) communities in decline, (2) communities converted from historic composition by land uses, (3) communities on ecologically appropriate sites but unable to maintain themselves, and (4) communities infrequent on national forest but not regionally rare. Suitable-to-optimal habitats to support populations of the plant and animal species associated with these communities will also be maintained.

DESIRED CONDITION These areas will be characterized by a predominance of mid- and late-successional forests. Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, patches of early- successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain large blocks of late-successional forest. The distribution of the different forest communities and their structure will depend on the landtype association(s) in which this prescription is applied and the ecological dynamics of the community. Restoration needs will be determined based on credible sources, including historic vegetation records, Kuchler’s potential natural vegetation, ecological reference areas, and professional expertise. Restoration will be evaluated at a landscape scale of the entire landtype association, not stand composition. Plant associations that are present will continue to occur during this planning period although a reduction will occur for some associations (e.g., white pine, loblolly pine, and Virginia pine). Restored communities are characterized in part by the ability to naturally maintain themselves.

These areas will be characterized by 60 to 80 percent or more of the forest cover being mid and late-successional forests. A relatively low percentage of acreage is old enough for potential old growth, and 4 to 10 percent of the area of each aggregated or contiguous block of the forested land in this management prescription will be in early- successional forest conditions. Medium and large-scale natural catastrophe will episodically create localized openings at smaller scales of from 5 to 1,000 acres, but the severity of effect will be moderated in comparison to areas with a lower management intensity. The range of canopy breaks includes gaps created by individual tree mortality, occasional insect or disease-killed groups up to several acres, infrequent restorative harvest patches of approximately 40 acres, wildlife openings, and rare large contiguous areas of several hundred acres caused by storms or wildfire. This will be accomplished through various silvicultural activities that include but would not be limited to: prescribed burning; mechanical and chemical vegetation control; and even-aged, two-aged, and uneven-aged silvicultural methods.

The landscape character is natural-appearing. Management changes are the primary agents of strong change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Evidence of fire effects is a common landscape feature, including reduced stem densities, increased herbaceous ground cover, charring,, snags, and a reduced number of canopy layers. Natural appearing managed change occurs, but affects a limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low- to-

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9.H moderate contrast and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur MANAGEMENT, with low to high short-term and moderate to high long-term landscape character changes. MAINTENANCE, AND Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present and maintained. Expansion of RESTORATION OF existing openings and/or creation of new openings may occur. Non-invasive nonnatives PLANT are sometimes used when establishing food plants for wildlife, but native species are ASSOCIATIONS used where feasible and cost effective. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Recreation experience will be provided in a landscape character that will be natural appearing. This area will provide a variety of motorized and non-motorized recreation opportunities. Human activities will be evident in some places. Visitors will likely see other people in the parts of this area with motorized access. The trail and access emphasis will depend on the specific conditions of each area.Outdoor skills are of moderate importance to visitors in this area. Some of the areas will provide opportunities for interpretation and conservation education. Restoration of plant communities takes precedence over recreation, and recreation uses may be redirected or suspended in some locations due to restoration activities.

Visitors are informed to expect limited, rustic amenities. Acquiring current information typically requires contacting the Forest Service by phone or visiting a Forest Service office. Signs are few but adequate to guide visitors from state or county roads. Visitors are expected to be rather self-reliant and well prepared. Visitor expectations and satisfaction are monitored. Search and rescue is not readily available. When needed, motorized operations are usually constrained by requirements for special case-by-case permissions. Environmental effects of recovery operations are planned to be minimal and promptly rehabilitated.

Facilities are primarily non-structural; for example, roads, trails, tables, tent pads, etc. Structures are uncommon. Access may be possible by passenger car in good weather, but roads are not designed or maintained for them. Roads are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Total system road density remains near the average density of Forest Service jurisdiction roads in the ecological section. However, the proportion of open road may be locally less. In these areas existing facilities are maintained above a resource protection level but without a strong emphasis on visitor expectations. Capacity of facilities is typically low and they are rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, are usually in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more amenities.

Management is constrained to remain compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. The recreation use emphasis is on dispersed activities such as hunting, fishing, or hiking, but localized and limited development facilitates those uses.

There will be good-to-optimal habitat conditions for species favoring mid- to late- successional forested conditions. Management and/or protection of rare communities and species associates will be provided, along with management and/or protection measures for population occurrences of threatened, endangered, sensitive, and locally rare species. Habitat for a broad mix of species will also be provided. Early-successional forest patches vary in size, but many are larger than 20 acres to provide optimal conditions for dependent species.

Streams and water bodies are periodically inventoried and monitored on an individual stream basis to characterize conditions or trends. Streams and water bodies are

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 3-169 CHAPTER 3 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS protected from adverse effects. Aquatic habitat management activities are allowed to 9.H maintain, restore and enhance aquatic habitat conditions and associated communities of MANAGEMENT, native, desired nonnative, and/or demand species. Management activities will be MAINTENANCE, coordinated with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. AND RESTORATION OF Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for PLANT population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, ASSOCIATIONS endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

OBJECTIVE OBJ-9.H-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 50 percent of forested acres in mid- to late-successional forest, including old growth; a minimum of 20 percent of forested acres in late- successional forest, including old growth; and 4 to 10 percent per decade in early-successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 9.H-001 New utility corridor or communication sites may be authorized subject to applicable forestwide and management prescription standards.

Minerals and Geology 9.H-002 Using stipulations or lease terms for environmental protection, Federal mineral leases would be allowed.

9.H-003 Mineral material authorizations would be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 9.H-004 Insect and disease outbreaks shall be controlled to help move the area toward the desired conditions, where PETS or locally rare species and their habitats may be adversely impacted or to prevent damage to resources on adjacent lands.

9.H-005 Stands may be actively managed to reduce the risk of damage from native and nonnative pests. In addition, biological control methods are used when available and effective.

9.H-006 Native vegetation occurring on very limited areas and thus at risk of complete loss to pest outbreak may receive pre-conditioning treatments to ensure its natural regeneration if damaged.

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9.H 9.H-007 Biological controls may be considered for established nonnative pests MANAGEMENT, through the release of natural enemies. MAINTENANCE, AND 9.H-008 Eradication may be used for nonnative pests. RESTORATION OF PLANT 9.H-009 Hazard trees could be felled in areas occupied by humans (i.e., ASSOCIATIONS dispersed sites and roads). Actions need to be consistent with Forest Service policy, Gypsy Moth EIS, and SPB EIS.

Fire Management 9.H-010 Natural ignitions can be managed for resource benefits if planned for in an approved Fire Use Implementation Plan.

Recreation 9.H-011 Areas will be managed to meet or exceed ROS settings RN1, RN2, SPM, and SPNM.

9.H-012 OHVs would be allowed on designated trails. New OHV systems may be allowed as provided for in Forest-wide direction.

Scenery 9.H-013 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H M L L L L L Objectives

Timber Management 9.H-014 These lands are classified under NFMA as suitable for timber production.

Successional Stage Management 9.H-015 Creation of early-successional habitat is limited to 10 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

9.H-016 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, early-successional forest created by natural processes or management actions will be clustered on the landscape to maintain blocks of late-successional forest and interaction among early-successional wildlife species.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker Protection 9.H-017 On that portion of the Oconee National Forest south of Interstate 20, the requirements of the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service January 2003 RCW Recovery Plan and its amendments must be complied with in each management prescription.

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11 11 RIPARIAN CORRIDORS RIPARIAN CORRIDORS

EMPHASIS

Riparian Corridors will be managed to retain, restore and/or enhance the inherent ecological processes and functions of the associated aquatic, riparian, and upland components within the corridor.

DESIRED CONDITIONS FOR THE RIPARIAN CORRIDOR Riparian corridors reflect the physical structure, biological components, and ecological processes that sustain aquatic, riparian, and associated upland functions and values. The preferred management for riparian corridors is one that maintains, or moves toward, the restoration of natural processes that regulate the environmental and ecological components of riparian areas. However, due to the high value that these areas have for many uses, evidence of human activity, such as developed recreation areas, roads and trails, dams and reservoirs may be present.

Primarily, natural processes (floods, erosion, seasonal fluctuations, etc.) will modify most of the areas within the riparian corridor. However, management activities may be used to provide terrestrial or aquatic habitat improvement, favor recovery of native vegetation, control insect infestation and disease, comply with legal requirements (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act), provide for public safety, and meet other riparian functions and values.

Riparian corridors occur along all defined perennial and intermittent stream channels that show signs of scour and around natural ponds, lakeshores, wetlands, springs and seeps. Portions of the corridor may extend into upland areas, especially within steep- sided stream valleys and headwater reaches.

The soils of riparian corridors have an organic layer (including litter, duff, and/or humus) of sufficient depth and composition to maintain the natural infiltration capacity, moisture regime, and productivity of the soil (recognizing that floods may periodically sweep some areas within the floodplain of soil and vegetation). Exposed mineral soil and soil compaction from human activity may be present but are dispersed and do not impair the productivity and fertility of the soil. Any human-caused disturbances or modifications that cause environmental degradation through concentrated runoff, soil erosion, or sediment transport to the channel or water body are promptly rehabilitated or mitigated to reduce or eliminate impacts.

Trees within the corridors are managed to provide sufficient amounts and sizes of woody debris to maintain habitat complexity and diversity for aquatic and riparian-associated wildlife species. Recruitment of woody debris typically occur naturally; however, woody debris may be purposefully introduced to enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Both in-stream and terrestrial woody debris are regarded as essential, and generally left undisturbed.

The riparian corridor functions as a travelway for aquatic and terrestrial organisms. The corridor serves as a connector of habitats and populations. Stream structures -- such as bridges, culverts, and aquatic habitat improvement structures -- may be evident in some

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11 streams and water bodies. With the exception of some dams, most structures do not RIPARIAN decrease in-stream connectivity. CORRIDORS Suitable habitat is provided in riparian areas, and where applicable in the associated uplands, for riparian-associated flora and fauna; especially threatened, endangered, sensitive (TES) and locally rare species. The corridor widths will occasionally include upland ecosystems, wider than the area showing riparian vegetation. Vegetation (dead and alive) reflects the potential natural diversity of plant communities with appropriate horizontal and vertical structure needed to provide the shade, food, shelter, and microclimate characteristics for aquatic and terrestrial species. Rehabilitation of past and future impacts (both natural and human-caused) may be necessary to protect resource values and facilitate recovery of riparian structure and functions.

Vegetative communities within the riparian corridor are diverse and productive, providing for a rich variety of organisms and habitat types. The vegetative community within the riparian corridor is predominately forested; however, some natural non-forested habitats such as wet meadows, grasses or shrub dominated plant communities may occur. The desired vegetative condition of nonforested communities is determined by site-specific analysis.

The forest contains multiple canopy layers, which provide a variety of habitat niches, as well as thermal and protective cover for wildlife. Snags used by birds, bats, and small animals are abundant. Dying and down trees are common, often in natural patches. Wet meadows, nonforest communities, and open forest canopies, created by flooding, wind damage, wildland fire, insects infestation, disease, restoration, and vegetation management may be seen. Suitable habitat is provided in riparian areas, and where applicable in the associated uplands, for riparian-associated flora and fauna; including migratory species. High canopy species such as red-eyed vireo and yellow-throated warbler as well as species that use mid-story and well developed shrub layers in understory (thrushes, ovenbird, etc.) would also be expected in high densities. Species associated with habitat conditions found in riparian and wetland habitats, i.e. Acadian flycatcher, parula, Louisiana waterthrush, prothonotary warbler, wood duck, egrets and great blue heron could potentially be found in high densities in these areas.

Within the riparian corridor vegetation management activities, including prescribed fire, may take place to: maintain, restore, and/or enhance the diversity and complexity of native vegetation; rehabilitate both natural and human-caused disturbances, and provide habitat improvements for TES or riparian-associated wildlife species (including migratory birds), provide for visitor safety, or to accommodate appropriate recreational uses.

Silvicultural treatments, including timber and vegetation removal, may occur to restore and/or enhance riparian resources such as water, wildlife and native communities. Prescribed fire can be used within the corridor to create or maintain the composition and vitality of fire-dependent vegetative communities, such as canebrakes. Low intensity fire may occur when streams are used as natural firebreaks in association with landscape level burning.

The landscape character is naturally “evolving” or appearing, but occasional instances of a rural landscape character may occur with recreation developments, such as a swim beach at a campground. Livestock grazing may occur, but it is managed to minimize impacts on stream banks, water quality, and other riparian resources.

The recreational opportunities are in roaded natural and rural settings. Both dispersed and developed recreation opportunities may be present within these corridors. Although recreational areas and facilities may create long-term impacts on riparian corridors, allowances are made in this prescription since a majority of recreation within the national forests occurs in or near water bodies. Hiking, dispersed camping, hunting, and fishing

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 3-173 CHAPTER 3 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS are typical activities available within the corridor. Visitors may encounter developed 11 camping areas, boat launches and fishing piers. Current recreation areas and facilities RIPARIAN are maintained or upgraded to minimize impacts on stream banks, shorelines, and water CORRIDORS quality. Environmental education and interpretation about the aquatic component and riparian corridor may be provided to increase awareness of the value of riparian dependent resources.

Density of open roads and/or motorized trails may decrease over time as roads and/or trails that are unneeded or are causing undesirable resource impacts are closed.

DESIRED CONDITIONS FOR AQUATIC SYSTEMS WITHIN THE RIPARIAN CORRIDOR Streams are in dynamic equilibrium; that is, stream systems normally function within natural ranges of flow, sediment movement, temperature, and other variables. The geomorphic condition of some channels may reflect the process of long-term adjustment from historic watershed disturbances (e.g., past intensive farming practices within the Piedmont). The combination of geomorphic and hydrologic processes creates a diverse physical environment, which, in turn, fosters biological diversity. The physical integrity of aquatic systems, stream banks and substrate, including shorelines and other components of habitat, is intact and stable. Where channel shape is modified (e.g., road crossing), the modification preserves channel stability and function.

The natural range of in-stream flows is maintained to support channel function, aquatic biota and wildlife habitat, floodplain function, and aesthetic values. Water uses and other modifications of flow regimes are evaluated in accordance with the national Forest Service in-stream flow strategy and site-specific analysis.

Water quality remains within a range that ensures survival, growth, reproduction, and migration of aquatic and riparian-associated wildlife species; and contributes to the biological, physical, and chemical integrity of aquatic ecosystems. Water quality meets or exceeds State and Federal standards. Water quality (e.g., water temperatures, reducing turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and pH) will be improved where necessary to benefit critical aquatic communities.

Floodplains properly function as detention/retention storage areas for floodwaters, sources of organic matter to the water column, and habitat for aquatic and riparian- associated species. Modification of the floodplain is infrequent but may be undertaken to protect human life and property or to meet other appropriate management goals (e.g., restoration). There may be evidence of some roads, trails, and recreation developments. Some wetland habitats may show signs of restoration.

The biological integrity of aquatic communities is maintained, restored, or enhanced. Aquatic species distributions are maintained or are expanded into previously occupied habitat. The amount, distribution, and characteristics of aquatic habitats for all life stages are present to maintain populations of indigenous and desired nonnative species. Habitat conditions contribute to the recovery of species under the Endangered Species Act. Species composition, distribution, and relative abundance of organisms in managed habitats is comparable to that of natural habitats of the same region or reference stream. Some streams, however, may be stocked with nonnative fish in cooperation with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division.

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11 Determination of Riparian Corridors RIPARIAN CORRIDORS The Riparian Corridor Prescription Area encompasses riparian areas, as well as adjacent associated upland components. A riparian area is functionally defined as a three- dimensional ecotone of interaction that includes both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They extend down into the groundwater, up above the canopy, outward across the floodplain, up the near-slopes that drain into the water, laterally into the terrestrial ecosystem, and along the watercourse at a variable width (Ilhardt et al. 2000). A riparian corridor, on the other hand, is a management prescription designed to include much of the riparian area. Within the riparian corridor management prescription area, management practices are specified to maintain riparian functions and values. As a management prescription area, this includes corridors along all defined perennial and intermittent stream channels that show signs of scour, and around natural ponds, lakeshores, wetlands, springs, and seeps.

An operational definition of a riparian area based on soils, vegetation and hydrologic characteristics can be found in Forest Plan Appendix C, along with a graphical representation of a Riparian Corridor.

Due to their spatial extent, riparian corridors are not identified on the Forest Plan map of prescription allocations. Estimated acreages of the Riparian Corridor allocations are based on the widths described in Tables 3-11 through 3-14. For project planning and implementation, the following process will be used to determine the extent of site-specific riparian corridors.

Riparian corridor widths are designed to encompass the riparian area defined on the basis of soils, vegetation and hydrology as described in Appendix C, and the ecological functions and values associated with the riparian area. The widths in Tables 3-11 through 3-14 shall be used to define the riparian corridor if site-specific delineation is not determined as described below.

If a site-specific field investigation determines the need to vary the widths in Tables 3-11 through 3-14, that width shall become the project level riparian corridor. This corridor shall be determined by an interdisciplinary analysis using site-specific information to ensure that riparian values and functions are maintained.

The slope-dependent Riparian Corridor widths are measured in on-the-ground surface feet perpendicular from the edge of the channel or bank (stream, water body, etc.) and extend out from each side of a stream. For ponds, lakes, sloughs, and wetlands (including seeps or springs associated with wetlands) the measurement would start at the ordinary high water mark and go around the perimeter. For braided streams, the outermost braid will be used as the water’s edge. An interrupted stream (a watercourse that goes underground and then reappears) will be treated as if the stream were above ground. (An acceptable level of error for on-the-ground measurements of these widths is + 10%.)

Portions of the corridor may extend into upland areas, outside the area with riparian vegetation. This would most likely occur in steep-sided stream valleys and headwater reaches. The riparian corridor is also delineated around human-created reservoirs, wildlife ponds, wetlands, and waterholes connected to or associated with natural water features. In addition, those areas not associated with natural water features, but supporting riparian-associated flora or fauna, will have a riparian corridor designation. The Riparian Corridor management prescription direction does not apply to constructed ponds developed for recreation uses; or to human-made ditches, gullies, or other features that are maintained or in the process of restoration. For these areas, site-specific analysis will determine the appropriate protective measures. (See also the forestwide standards in Chapter 2.)

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Riparian Corridors for the Chattahoochee National Forest 11 RIPARIAN The following widths are used to identify and map riparian corridors for all activities and CORRIDORS projects on the Chattahoochee National Forest. Most of the streams on the Chattahoochee are designated as cool or cold water, and are further identified as trout watersheds by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. These streams require protection of streams and associated riparian areas to provide optimum cool and cold water habitat.

Widths are slope distances, measured from the stream bank edge on each side of the stream. It is recognized that the actual riparian ecosystem extent may vary with the site- specific conditions and the riparian boundary may be expanded through field investigation. Individual tables are displayed for perennial streams and intermittent streams to emphasize the need for protection on these different stream types on the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Table 3- 11. Riparian Corridor Widths For Perennial Streams, Lakes, Ponds, Or Wetlands (In Feet, Measured As Described Above) Physiographic Area Slope Class 0-10% 11-45% 45% + Blue Ridge Mtns, Ridge 100 125 150 & Valley, Upper Piedmont

Table 3- 12. Riparian Corridor Widths For Intermittent Streams (In Feet,Measured as Described Above) Physiographic Area Slope Class 0-10% 11-45% 45% + Blue Ridge Mtns, Ridge 100 125 150 & Valley, Upper Piedmont

Riparian Corridors for the Oconee National Forest

The following widths are used for delineating riparian corridors for all activities on the Oconee National Forest. Streams on the Oconee are classified as warm water. Widths are slope distances, measured from the stream bank edge on each side of the stream. It is recognized that the actual riparian ecosystem extent may vary with the site-specific conditions and the riparian boundary may be expanded through field investigation.

Table 3- 13. Riparian Corridor Widths For Perennial Streams, Lakes, Ponds, Or Wetlands (In Feet, Measured As Described Above) Physiographic Area Slope Class 0-30% 31-45% 45% + Lower Piedmont 100 125 150

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11 RIPARIAN Table 3- 14. Riparian Corridor Widths For Intermittent Streams (In Feet, Measured as CORRIDORS Described Above) Physiographic Area Slope Class 0-30% 31-45% 45% + Lower Piedmont 50 75 100

Relationship with Ephemeral Streams

Ephemeral streams do not have riparian areas, but are hydrologically connected to perennial and intermittent streams downstream. They flow only in direct response to precipitation, lack defined channels and are above the water table at all times. Some ephemeral streams exhibit evidence of scouring from storm events.

Standards for the Ephemeral Stream Zone are found in chapter 2, Forestwide Direction, of this Forest Plan. The primary purpose of this zone is to maintain the ability of the land areas to filter sediment from upslope disturbances while achieving the goals of the adjacent management prescription area. In addition, the emphasis along ephemeral streams is to maintain stream stability and sediment controls by minimizing vehicle entry into the stream bottom and maintaining, restoring, or enhancing large woody debris. The management direction in this zone reflects the adjacent management prescription and may be modified as a result of watershed analysis.

The ephemeral stream zone is identified as 25 feet on each side of an ephemeral with evidence of scouring. Scouring is described as movement of the duff or litter material on the surface due to water movement, exposing the soil below.

Relationship with Other Management Prescriptions

The Riparian Corridor management prescription is ‘embedded’ within each of the other management prescriptions; it does not stand alone. The Riparian Corridor prescription must be identified and considered whenever any of the other management prescriptions are to be implemented at the project/site specific level.

The Riparian Corridor overlaps with other management prescription allocations. In order to establish precedence, the following rules apply:

1. Where the Riparian Corridor management prescription area overlaps with lands that have been allocated to the following management prescriptions, the most restrictive management prescription direction will apply:

a. 1A or 1B - Wilderness and Recommended Wilderness areas b. 2A or 2B - Rivers Designated in or Recommended for the Wild and Scenic System c. 3A - National Scenic Areas d. 4D and 4F - Special Areas e. 4H - Forest-Designated Outstandingly Remarkable Streams f. 9F - Rare Communities

2. For lands allocated to any of the other management prescriptions, where the riparian corridor overlaps with these allocations, the direction in the Riparian Corridor Management Prescription will take precedence.

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RIPARIAN CORRIDOR STANDARDS 11 RIPARIAN CORRIDORS General Standards Emphasis of activities or treatments in the Riparian Corridor: Activities and management treatments within the Riparian Corridor, except for ‘pass through’ situations, are for the benefit of riparian-associated species. These activities or treatments will be managed to retain, restore and/or enhance the inherent ecological processes and functions of the associated aquatic, riparian, and upland components within the corridor.

Due to the complexity of the delineation and allocations of the Riparian Corridor embedded within other management prescriptions, additional standards are found in the forestwide standards in chapter 2. When designing and implementing projects one needs to reference all applicable management direction to ensure compliance. As an example, standards for trail management in riparian corridors are also found in the forestwide standards for trails.

Desired Facilities and Human Activities: Management may take place within the Riparian Corridor to:

a) Provide terrestrial or aquatic habitat improvement b) Favor recovery of native vegetation c) Sustain or enhance aquatic or riparian-associated species d) Control insect or disease infestation e) Comply with legal requirements f) Provide for public safety g) Support other riparian functions and values

11-001 Major Actions/Activities within the Riparian Corridor:

Major human actions or activities that create long-term impacts or permanent changes to water drainage, soil exposure and productivity, create impervious surfaces, or permanent removal of vegetation cover are prohibited within the Riparian Corridor. Examples of major actions are those requiring extensive changes to the landscape and those with the potential to create long-term impacts.

Examples of major actions and activities include road and trail travelways (except for designated crossings), recreation sites and facilities, log landings, permanent wildlife openings, and range allotments. Activities or treatments that need to pass through or cross Riparian Corridors will be permitted with mitigation and constraints. Examples include crossings of streams by roads and trails.

Existing activities, such as road and trail stream crossings, recreation sites, and wildlife openings, will be permitted within the riparian corridor, provided the sites are not causing impacts to water quality, soil productivity, aquatic or riparian habitats, and they can be properly maintained to mitigate adverse impacts.

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11 11-002 Minor Actions/Activities within the Riparian Corridor RIPARIAN CORRIDORS Minor human actions or activities that create short-term impacts or temporary changes to water drainage, soil exposure and productivity, or vegetation cover are permitted within the Riparian Corridor with appropriate mitigation and monitoring of impacts. Examples of minor actions are those of short duration, limited extent, and temporary changes in drainage or soil exposure.

Examples of minor activities include silvicultural activities needed to meet resource objectives of riparian-associated species such as timber removal, site preparation, reforestation, and prescribed burning), bank stabilization, temporary road construction and stream crossings associated with these activities.

Silvicultural activities are those that have the purpose, or include the intention to, establish or perpetuate a forest cover. Examples of silvicultural activities include timber removal, site preparation, reforestation, prescribed burning, road construction and stream crossings associated with these activities.

11-003 For all projects, additional protection, such as wider riparian corridor distances, higher residual canopy cover, restrictions on activities, etc. will be identified through site specific inventories and surveys, site- specific biological evaluations, and site-specific mitigations identified in project NEPA documents.

11-004 Equipment use is allowed within the Riparian Corridor, stream channel, ponds, or wetlands to: • Cross at designated points, • Improve or enhance aquatic or wetland habitat, • Construct log stream structures, deepen pools, place boulder habitat, stabilize the channel and/or the stream banks, • Construct or maintain recreation facilities, • Construct or maintain stream crossings. • Implement silvicultural practices in compliance with Georgia Best Management Practices for Forestry • Cross for fireline construction, with applicable restrictions (see Fire Management). • Emergency administrative activities.

Fish and Wildlife Management 11-005 The removal of large woody debris (pieces greater than four feet long and four inches in diameter on the small end) is allowed only if the debris poses a risk to water quality, degrades habitat for riparian- dependent species, or when it poses a threat to private property or Forest Service infrastructures (i.e., bridges). The need for removal must be deter-mined on a case-by-case basis.

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11-006 Existing wildlife openings are allowed within the riparian corridor. 11 However, wildlife openings identified as causing environmental RIPARIAN degradation through concentrated runoff, soil erosion, sediment CORRIDORS transport to the channel or water body will be mitigated or closed and restored. New wildlife openings within the riparian corridor are only permitted where needed to provide habitat for riparian-associated species.

11-007 For projects implemented to improve aquatic habitat, streambank stabilization or water quality, natural material may be taken from within the riparian corridor.

11-008 Dredge and fill operations in juridictional waters or wetlands of the U.S. must comply with the Clean Water Act, Section 404 regulations. Appropriate Section 404 permit requirements will be met prior to project implementation.

Recreation - Trails 11-009 No new trails for off-highway vehicles, horses or bicycles or other non- pedistrian modes of movement will be constructed within the Riparian Corridor, except to approach and cross at designated crossings or where the trail location requires some encroachment (e.g., to accommodate stream crossings in steep terrain, etc.).

11-010 All trail construction, reconstruction and maintenance must be accomplished in accordance with current Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control in Georgia, applicable state or local erosion control regulations, and the current Forest Service Trail Handbook direction.

11-011 Existing OHV trails within the riparian corridor causing unacceptable resource impacts will be identified for appropriate mitigation measures (including OHV trail closure).

11-012 All new stream crossings will be constructed so that they do not adversely affect the passage of aquatic organisms, or significantly alter the natural flow regime. Exceptions may be allowed to prevent the upstream migration of undesired species.

Recreation – Developed 11-013 New recreation facilities must be developed in accordance with Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and Executive Order 11990, Wetlands Management. Alternative locations must be considered for all new facilities. Where none exist, potential impacts must be minimized or mitigated to moderate the severity of those impacts.

Recreation - Dispersed 11-014 Camping trailers and vehicles are not allowed within 100 feet of perennial streams or lakes, except at designated areas.

11-015 Overnight tethering or corralling of horses or other livestock is not allowed within 100 feet of stream courses or lakes. Existing corral sites will be maintained to limit impacts to water quality and riparian corridors.

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11 Scenery Management RIPARIAN 11-016 Scenic integrity within the riparian corridor ranges from High to CORRIDORS Moderate.

Federally-Owned Minerals 11-017 New mineral or oil and gas leases will contain a no-surface-occupancy stipulation or a controlled-surface-use stipulation for the riparian corridor.

11-018 Federal mineral material (36 CFR 228(c)) authorizations are only allowed to restore riparian areas and aquatic habitat, control erosion and sedimentation, and repair flood damage.

11-019 Recreational gold panning is only allowed where it does not adversely affect stream channel stability, substrate, aquatic species, or their habitats.

Vegetation 11-020 Lands in the riparian corridor are classified as not suitable, not appropriate for timber production under the NFMA, however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

11-021 Vegetation Management may be implemented with commercial timber sales when that is the most practical or economically efficient method to accomplish resource objectives.

11-022 Silvicultural activities conducted within the Riparian Corridor will be conducted to meet or exceed compliance with the current edition of Best Management Practices for Forestry in Georgia.

11-023 Commercial collection of botanical products will not be allowed in the riparian corridor if it would adversely affect the functions and values of the riparian ecosystem.

11-024 Tree removals may only take place if needed to enhance the recovery of the diversity and complexity of vegetation, rehabilitate both natural and human-caused disturbances, provide habitat improvements for TES or riparian-associated species, reduce fuel buildup, provide for visitor safety, or for approved facility construction/renovation.

11-025 Permits for firewood cutting within the riparian corridor will take into consideration the large woody debris requirements.

11-026 Revegetation activities will emphasize using native plants.

11-027 Channel stability of perennial and intermittent streams is protected by retaining all woody understory vegetation within at least 5 feet of the bank and by keeping slash accumulations out of the stream. Stream bank trees will not be cut unless a threat to visitor safety or part of a planned watershed improvement project.

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11–028 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber 11 production, not appropriate; however, salvage sales, sales necessary to RIPARIAN protect other multiple uuse values, or activities that meet other Plan CORRIDORS goals and objectives are permitted.

Forest Health 11-029 Cut and leave will be the preferred method for control and suppression of insects and disease in the Riparian Corridor. Other control measures may be used when a condition poses a risk to stream stability, degrades water quality, adversely affects habitat for riparian-associated species, poses a threat to public safety or facilities, or when “cut and leave” is not effective.

11-030 Alternative measures for insect and disease control will be determined on the basis of risk to adjacent resources, long-term sustainability, and appropriate needs for the function and condition of the riparian area.

Fire Management 11-031 Use wildfire suppression techniques that minimize potential damage to physical resources within riparian corridors including soils, ground cover, and stream channels. Select suppression techniques to minimize the need for rehabilation within the corridor.

11-032 Except for wildfire or escaped prescribed fire, construction of firelines with heavy mechanized equipment (e.g., bulldozers) in wetlands or riparian corridors is prohibited.

11-033 Hand lines are used to create firelines near streams to minimize soil disturbance. Water diversions are used to keep sediment out of streams. Firelines are not constructed in stream channels, but streams may be used as firelines.

11-034 Accidental entry of fire suppression retardants into water bodies will be reported to respective District personnel, Forest watershed or wildlife staff, and Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Division.

11-035 If necessary to cross a stream with a fire line, crossings will be as close to right angles as possible to the stream and be stabilized and/or re- vegetated as soon after the fire is controlled as possible.

Road Stream Crossings 11-036 Where risks of resource damage are high, each road segment will be constructed and stabilized prior to starting another segment. High-risk areas include landslide prone areas, steep slopes and highly erosive soils. High-risk streams include streams containing sensitive aquatic species such as trout and mussels, or any threatened or endangered species.

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11 11-037 To minimize the length of streamside disturbance, ensure that approach RIPARIAN sections are aligned with the stream channel at as near a right angle as CORRIDORS possible. Locate riparian corridor crossings to minimize the amount of fill material needed and minimize channel impacts.

11-038 If culverts are removed, stream banks and channels must be restored to a natural size and shape. All disturbed soil will be stabilized.

11-039 All new stream crossings will be constructed so that they do not adversely impact the passage of aquatic organisms. Exceptions may be allowed in order to prevent the upstream migration of undesired species.

11-040 All new construction, reconstruction, decommissioning, or maintenance of Forest Service system roads will comply with requirements of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act when jurisdictional waters or wetlands of the United States are involved, including the fifteen (15) mandatory Best Management Practices (40 CFR 232.22).

Land and Special Uses

11-041 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas.

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12.A 12.A REMOTE BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION - FEW REMOTE OPEN ROADS BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION - FEW OPEN All, or portions, of the following inventoried roadless areas are allocated to MRx 12.A: ROADS Big Mountain Patterson Gap Indian Grave Gap Pink Knob Joe Gap Rocky Mountain Kelly Ridge

EMPHASIS These lands are managed to provide users with a degree of solitude and a semi-primitive experience in large remote areas that still allow the use of limited public motorized access on existing, open motorized roads. Areas will be 2,500 acres or greater in size unless adjacent to a prescription that also provides a semi-primitive experience (1.A., 1.B., 4.A., 6.A., etc.).

DESIRED CONDITION Active management activities such as: prescribed fire, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) operations, salvage logging, wildfire suppression, trail construction, creation of wildlife openings, forest type restorations, and habitat manipulations are allowed. Occasionally, some vegetation manipulation with commercial timber sales to open forest canopies would be used for wildlife habitat improvements, forest health considerations, or to restore native vegetative communities.

These areas provide large tracts of backcountry opportunities with a semi-primitive motorized emphasis. Existing roads do not contribute sediment to streams. Few or no interior roads occur. Those that do are well located, stable and suitable for use by the types of vehicles and during the use periods appropriate to the achievement of the emphasis for the area. Roads do not disqualify the area from roadless status under Forest Service criteria. Human activities may be evident in some places. Visitors will occasionally see other people, especially near the few open roads in these areas. A non- motorized trail system will provide the predominant means of access, and trails will be improved or constructed. Decommissioned and closed roads will be available for non- motorized uses. The landscape will appear to be primarily shaped by ecological processes and the landscape character will be natural appearing. Environmental effects of recovery operations would be minimal and promptly rehabilitated.

The primary landscape character is natural evolving with natural processes the dominant agents of strong change in visual elements of form, line, color, and texture. Natural- appearing managed change occurs but affects a very limited area either individually or cumulatively at any one time. Management changes are designed to be low-contrast with pre-treatment conditions and therefore compatible with the SIO. Active management may occur to moderate visual contrasts of natural change, but obvious evidence of human intervention in the appearance of the landscape is rare.

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12.A motorized operations are usually constrained by requirements for special case-by-case REMOTE permissions. BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION - Facilities are primarily non-structural; for example, roads, trails, tables, tent pads, etc. FEW OPEN Structures are uncommon. Access may be possible by passenger car in good weather, ROADS but roads are not designed or maintained for them. In these areas, existing facilities are maintained above a resource protection level but without a strong emphasis on visitor expectations. Capacity of facilities is typically low and they are rustic in character. Limited new facilities are provided, and if constructed, are usually in response to the need to correct environmental problems rather than increase capacity. Type, number, location, and degree of facility development is a primary means of limiting visitor use. There is no emphasis on upgrading recreational facilities to provide more amenities.

Management is constrained to remain compatible with the existing recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) class and with the inventoried scenic class. The recreation use emphasis is on dispersed activities such as hunting, fishing, or hiking, but localized and limited development facilitates those uses.

There will be habitat conditions for species favoring mid-to-late-successional forested conditions. Habitat for a broad mix of species will also be provided.

The mix and types of forest communities will depend on the landtype association(s) in which this prescription is applied.

Existing old fields and openings for wildlife may be present, maintained, and expanded. New openings can be created. Native species are emphasized when establishing food plants for wildlife. Some openings provide permanent shrub/sapling habitats as a result of longer maintenance cycles.

Systematic landscape surveys will be conducted periodically on a sample basis for population health and trends of PETS species. Once identified, locations of proposed, endangered, and threatened species populations are geo-referenced, generally as a point, and monitored periodically, but not necessarily annually. Data collected is typically basic population-level (polygon) data. Active management to maintain habitat of known populations may occur with the written concurrence of the USFWS where a beneficial effect to the species has been established. National Forests will manage for the viability of all native and desirable nonnative species occurring on the Forest.

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12.A OBJECTIVE REMOTE BACKCOUNTRY OBJ-12.A-01 Manage forest successional stages to maintain a minimum of 75 RECREATION - percent of forested acres in mid- and late-successional forest, including FEW OPEN old growth; a minimum of 50 percent of forest acres in late-successional ROADS forest, including old growth; and up to 4 percent per decade in early- successional forest.

STANDARDS

Lands and Special Uses 12.A-001 New utility corridors or communication sites will not be authorized within these areas.

Minerals and Geology 12.A-002 Using lease terms for environmental protection, Federal mineral leases would be allowed.

12.A-003 Mineral material authorizations would be allowed.

Vegetation and Forest Health 12.A-004 Stands may be actively managed to reduce the risks and hazards of damage from native and nonnative invasive pests, while still meeting a high level of scenic integrity.

12.A-005 Aggressive integrated pest management should be considered for infestations adjacent to trails for a distance of one and one-half times the tree height.

12.A-006 Indigenous forest pests are kept within acceptable levels through integrated pest management techniques.

12.A-007 Nonnative forest pests are minimized through use of controls, silvicultural practices, and timely salvage of damaged trees. Actions need to be consistent with Forest Service policy, Gypsy Moth EIS, and SPB EIS.

Recreation 12.A-008 Areas are managed for a semi-primitive motorized ROS setting (SPM). Semi-primitive recreation opportunities are emphasized, but a few open roads allow good access.

12.A-009 A non-motorized trail system is provided, utilizing old roads as well as new trails, where possible, to create a desired trail system.

12.A-010 Non-motorized trail systems are planned to reduce social encounters and provide opportunities for solitude.

12.A-011 Non-motorized trails are maintained at maintenance levels 1–3.

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12.A 12.A-012 Existing four-wheel drive roads and trails connecting to ATV and REMOTE motorcycle routes allowed on a case-by-case basis. BACKCOUNTRY RECREATION - Scenery FEW OPEN 12.A-013 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following ROADS Scenic Integrity Objectives, which vary by Inventoried Scenic Class.

Inventoried 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Scenic Class Scenic Integrity H H H H H H H Objectives

Facilities, Roads, and Access 12.A-014 Management actions will not be taken that result in any inventoried roadless area no longer meeting Forest Service roadless criteria.

12.A-015 Existing roads used for project activities, such as creating or maintaining wildlife openings or habitat restorations, are maintained at maintenance level two.

12.A-016 Roads not open for public use and not needed for management activities will be analyzed for decommissioning.

12.A-017 New temporary use roads that are needed to facilitate stewdardship activities will be allowed. These will not be open for public use and will be closed and rehabilitated when no longer needed.

12.A-018 No new motorized trails/routes.

Timber Management 12.A-019 These lands are classified under NFMA as unsuitable for timber production; not appropriate; however, salvage sales, sales necessary to protect other multiple-use values, or activities that meet other Plan goals and objectives are permitted.

Successional Stage Management 12.A-020 Creation of early-successional forest habitat is limited to 4 percent of forested acres. Existing patches of early-successional forest greater than two acres in size are included when calculating allowable levels of early- successional forest creation.

12.A-021 Where compatible with other multiple-use objectives, patches of early- successional forest created by management actions may be clustered or scattered on the landscape depending on ecological objectives

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On the following pages simple, small scale, monochrome maps of each prescription appearing in this plan are shown. These maps, along with introductory text in each management prescription, are to provide a more complete frame of reference. The individual maps give a sense of proportion and M distribution of individual prescriptions. Considered as a set, the maps indicate the range of APS management being used. They provide an overview of relative emphasis and desired conditions, and illustrate key similarities or differences between the major ecological sub-areas of the forest. Hopefully also by reference to a Forest administrative map or other similarly detailed map, localized areas of particular interest can be at least related to the appropriate prescription.

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APS M RESCRIPTION P

Chattahoochee National Forest Exclusive of Armuchee Ranger District

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Chattahoochee National Forest – Tallulah RD

Chattahoochee National Forest Exclusive of Armuchee Ranger District

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APS M RESCRIPTION P

Oconee National Forest

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P RESCRIPTION

APS

Chattahoochee National Forest – Brasstown Ranger District Vicinity

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APS

M Oconee National Forest RESCRIPTION P

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Oconee National Forest – South End P RESCRIPTION RESCRIPTION M APS

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Chattahoochee National Forest Exclusive of Armuchee Ranger District

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Chattahoochee National Forest Exclusive of Armuchee Ranger District

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Chattahoochee National Forest Exclusive of Armuchee Ranger District

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Chattahoochee National Forest - Armuchee Ranger District

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P Oconee National Forest

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Armuchee Ranger District Oconee National Forest

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Chattahoochee National Forest - South Central Portion

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Armuchee Ranger District Oconee National Forest

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Armuchee Ranger District

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Chattahoochee National Forest Exclusive of Armuchee Ranger District

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Armuchee Ranger District

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Armuchee Ranger District Oconee National Forest

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Armuchee Ranger District Oconee National Forest

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Chattahoochee National Forest Exclusive of Armuchee Ranger District

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Oconee National Forest

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Armuchee Ranger District Oconee National Forest

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WATERSHED MANAGEMENT CHAPTER 4 AREAS USE OF WATERSHED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS MANAGEMENT AREAS AND HYDROLOGIC UNITS

USE OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS AND HYDROLOGIC UNITS

Watershed Management Areas (WSMAs) identify areas delineated by boundaries of hydrologic units. Management direction for these areas is identified in the Forest Plan through Forestwide direction in Chapters 2 and 3, unless otherwise noted in the individual Watershed Management Areas. These areas are being identified for several reasons:

1. Provide a sense of place for forest users and Forest Service employees 2. Provide an analysis area common to the Forest Service and cooperating agencies for present and future analysis of watershed conditions 3. Provide a management unit which “nests” within a hierarchical system that can be used at various spatial scales The Watershed Management Areas coincide with hydrologic units as defined and delineated by the U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS). The National Forest System lands of the Chattahoochee-Oconee occur within 6 of the 14 major river basins of Georgia. Collectively these 6 basins drain 31,159 square miles or 52 percent of the state’s land area. Watersheds are the natural hydrologic boundaries for surface-water runoff. Since they are definable features on the landscape, they are broadly used as spatial boundaries for investigations of surface-water resources (Maxwell, et. al., 1995). Watersheds throughout the United States have been defined by the USGS and are used by the U.S. Water Resources Council and other agencies for comprehensive planning and investigations. Larger watersheds contain smaller watersheds nested within the larger area. Smaller watersheds can, in turn, be subdivided into progressively smaller areas. Normally 5 to 15 smaller watersheds are nested into a larger watershed. USGS maintains a standardized system of boundaries of watersheds throughout the United States. This system, using maps, names and codes, is currently in use by multiple agencies to organize and catalog hydrologic data and related resource information for hydrologic units at specific scales or sizes. A hydrologic unit code (HUC), consisting of two digits for each level in the hierarchical unit system, is used to identify any hydrologic area of interest (USGS, 1987).

The hydrologic units used as watershed management areas for the Forest Land Management Plan are identified as “fifth-level”, because of the 10-digit identifying code provided for each HUC. This code identifies the HUC as part of a larger watershed area in the United States. The watersheds of the Chattahoochee-Oconee flow within two large water regions that identify the outlet of the basins. Watersheds flowing north from the Forest are in the Tennessee Region, named for the Tennessee River basin. Watersheds

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 4-1 CHAPTER 4 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

USE OF flowing south, west or east are in the South Atlantic-Gulf Region, so named for the major WATERSHED basins flowing to the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. MANAGEMENT AREAS AND HYDROLOGIC The Watershed Management Areas have been used as analysis units throughout the UNITS development of the Forest Plan. Initially the watersheds provided a “sense of place” that aided in identifying issues, need for change and allocation of management prescriptions. DESIRED The East-wide Watershed Assessment Protocol (EWAP) was developed jointly by Forest CONDITIONS Service Regions Eight and Nine to characterize landscape information for use in Forest FOR WATER Plan revisions. The overall objective of this watershed analysis is to provide an QUALITY AND assessment of overall watershed health. The watersheds contain both public and private SOIL lands. PRODUCTIVITY DESIRED CONDITIONS FOR WATER QUALITY AND SOIL PRODUCTIVITY

Water quality meets or exceeds state standards, and beneficial downstream uses are protected or enhanced. The width and depths of streams are in dynamic equilibrium with stream discharge, sediment load, and bank material. Most streams do not display signs of accelerated down cutting, lateral cutting or aggrading. Where the channel shape has been modified (i.e.: road crossing), the modification preserves the channel stability and function. Downstream beneficial uses are not adversely affected by the modification. The sediment transport capacity exhibits a stable channel balance and does not show signs of excessive deposition or scour. The channel pattern and longitudinal profile have not been adjusted by sediment from the natural state.

Long-term soil productivity is apparent. Nutrient levels and nutrient cycling processes continue to function unimpaired. Woody debris, leaf litter, and other organic matter are detained on many areas to provide soil organic matter, plant nutrients, and energy for soil microorganisms. The soil retains a fragile status. Exposed mineral soil is in a dispersed nature. Some scattered areas, such as roads and some log landing areas, may have low soil productivity and experienced soil loss, or change in soil structure. Human activity is managed so that compaction does not impair productivity or fertility of the soil. The filtering capacity and structure of the soil are not impaired by ground disturbing activities. The imprint of fire lines and old woods roads do not compromise the integrity of the soil.

Detailed analysis of watershed condition can be found in A Watershed Analysis for the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, 2000 (filed in Supervisors Office). Watersheds with high percentages of private land ownership have major influences downstream and off public lands that impact overall watershed health. Watersheds with high percentages of public land ownership are those where land management can have an effect on improving watershed conditions.

Desired conditions are described in detail for each management prescription allocated in the Watershed Management Areas. Consult Chapter 3 of the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan for these desired condition descriptions. Objectives specific to each Watershed Management Areas have not been identified; see Forestwide Goals and Objectives in chapter 2 of the Forest Plan for this direction.

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CHATTAHOOCHEE CHATTAHOOCHEE NATIONAL FOREST WATERSHED NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS MANAGEMENT AREAS Figures 4-1, 4-2, and 4-3 at the end of the Chattahoochee WSMA descriptions, show the location of each hydrologic unit. The description and numbering sequence of the Watershed Management Areas (WSMAs) begin on the western extent of the Chattahoochee National Forest near the Alabama state line with WSMA # 1, Chattooga River – Lower and continue eastward ending with WSMA # 32, Broad River, North and Middle Forks. Each Watershed Management Area identifies the name of the watershed, the ten (10) digit hydrologic unit code identified from the U.S. Geologic Survey system, a general description of the physical locations and existing characteristics, a partial listing of major, named perennial streams found on National Forest lands in the watershed, a GIS estimate of miles of perennial streams on National Forest lands, a listing of public water supply withdrawals within the watershed, a short list of landscape features, total watershed area and percentage of current National Forest lands, and the current list of management prescription allocations for the WSMA. A total of thirty-two (32) WSMAs are currently delineated on the Chattahoochee.

Table 4- 1 shows a summary of the fifth level watersheds in Georgia with total acres, National Forest acres, and the percentage of the watershed in National Forest acreage in Georgia.

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CHATTAHOOCHEE Table 4- 1. Summary of Chattahoochee-Oconee NF Watershed Management NF WATERSHED Areas (Georgia Acreage and Percentages Only) MANAGEMENT 5th Level Watershed GA NF % NF Name AREAS HUC No. Acres in GA Acres in GA Chattahoochee National Forest Chattooga River-North, East, and 0306010201 105,600 76,901.3 73 West Forks Tallulah River 0306010207 113,920 65,895 58 Tugaloo River-Panther Creek 0306010206 55,040 21,109.8 38 Broad River-North and Middle 0306010401 195,200 23,582.1 12 Forks Chattahoochee River- 0313000101 99,200 39,905.1 40 Chickamauga Creek Soque River 0313000102 101,760 17,523.4 17 Chestatee River-Dicks Creek 0313000105 86,400 27,942 32 Chestatee River-Yahoola Creek 0313000106 62,720 12,116.6 19 Conasauga River-Upper 0315010101 72,320 48,095 67 Conasauga River-Middle 0315010102 91,520 17,912.6 20 Coahulla Creek 0315010103 78,080 1,894.9 2 Holly Creek 0315010104 74,240 19,892.7 27 Conasauga River-Lower 0315010105 69,120 5,173.7 7 Cartecay River 0315010201 86,400 15,020.5 17 Ellijay River 0315010202 59,520 13,107.4 22 Mountaintown Creek 0315010203 46,720 13,557.5 29 Coosawattee River-Carters Lake 0315010204 46,080 1,138 2 Oostanaula River-Upper 0315010301 74,880 8,137.5 11 Johns Creek 0315010303 28,160 10,744.6 38 Little Armuchee Creek 0315010304 51,840 8,016.9 15 Armuchee Creek 0315010305 91,520 22,130 24 Etowah River-Upper 0315010401 113,920 26,820.3 24 Amicalola Creek 0315010402 62,720 4,380.2 7 Chattooga River-Upper 0315010504 113,919 1673.1 1 Chattooga River-Lower 0315010505 74,239 2269.5 3 Little Tennessee River 0601020201 30,720 11,094 36 Little Chickamauga Creek-East 0602000109 104,960 4,152.2 4 Chickamauga Creek Hiawassee River-Chatuge Lake 0602000201 85,120 47,843.4 56 Brasstown Creek 0602000204 32,640 10,503.7 32 Nottely River-Nottely Lake 0602000208 136,960 48,988.7 36 Toccoa River-Upper 0602000301 148,479 101,774.9 69 Toccoa River-Middle 0602000302 123,520 19,757.1 16 Oconee National Forest Oconee River-Big Creek 0307010106 98,560 5,009.2 5 Oconee River-Greenbriar Creek 0307010107 100,480 20,783.8 21 Appalachee River-Lower 0307010109 113,920 4,844 4 Richland Creek 0307010111 101,760 449.5 <1 Oconee River-Sugar Creek 0307010110 107,520 8.3 <0.01 Little River-Upper 0307010114 139,519 1,029.1 1 Little River-Lower 0307010115 50,560 14,163.2 28 Murder Creek 0307010116 132,480 14,746.3 11 Big Cedar Creek 0307010117 138,879 21,924.1 16 Ocmulgee River-Big Sandy Creek 0307010310 124,160 14,618.3 12 Ocmulgee River-Rum Creek 0307010313 137,600 17,637 13

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1. Chattooga River – Lower (HUC# 0315010505) CHATTAHOOCHEE Description/Existing Conditions: located along the steep, west-facing slopes of the NF WATERSHED prominent Taylor Ridge from Hammond Gap south to its termination near High Point. MANAGEMENT Tributary to the Coosa River at Weiss Lake in Alabama AREAS Major Streams on NF: tributary streams to Chattooga River, 3.6 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: City of Summerville withdrawal on Raccoon Creek – west of city limits Landscape Features: Taylor Ridge (eastern boundary), Pinhoti Trail, The Narrows, Chattooga River flows through City of Summerville, James H.“Sloppy” Floyd State Park, High Point lookout, bisected by U.S. Highway 27 Watershed Area: 116 square miles (74,239 ac); National Forest lands – 3%

Table 4- 2. Watershed Management Area – Chattooga River, Lower

HUC # 0315010505 Rx Number Acres

Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth 6.B 1,989 Scenic Corridors & Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 130 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 150 Administrative Sites 5.A 0.5

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 2269.5

2. Chattooga River – Upper (HUC # 0315010504) General Description: located along the steep, west-facing slopes of the prominent Taylor Ridge from Hammond Gap north to Maddox Gap Major Streams on NF: tributary streams to Cane Creek, 1.5 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: City of Lafayette withdrawal on Dry Creek – west of city Landscape Features: Taylor Ridge (eastern boundary), Maddox Gap, headwaters of river in City of Lafayette Watershed Area: 178 square miles (113,919 ac); National Forest lands – 1%

Table 4- 3. Watershed Management Area – Chattooga River, Upper

HUC # 0315010504 Rx Number Acres Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth 6.B 1,384.6 Old Growth Core Areas 6.D 9 Scenic Corridors & Scenic Viewsheds 7.B 129.9 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 149.6

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 1673.1

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CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED 3. Little Chickamauga Creek – East Chickamauga Creek MANAGEMENT (HUC # 0602000109) AREAS General Description: Located on the north end of the Armuchee, flows South Chickamauga Creek near Ringgold, GA, Interstate Highway 75 bisects HUC Major Streams on NF: Dry Creek, Gordon Spring Creek, East Chickamauga Creek, Cove Creek, Hurricane Creek, 28.5 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: City of Ringgold withdrawal on South Chickamauga Creek Landscape Features: Houston Valley, Nickajack Gap, Taylor Ridge, Tunnel Hill, and Ringgold Watershed Area: – 164 square miles (104,960 ac); National Forest lands – 4%

Table 4- 4. Watershed Management Area – Little Chickamauga Creek/ East Chickamauga Creek HUC # 0602000109 Rx Number Acres Botanical – Zoological Areas 4.D 18.7 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth 6.B 519.7 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 2,537.8 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 1,076

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 4,152.2

4. Little Armuchee Creek (HUC # 0315010304) General Description: located on the south end of the Armuchee, drains the east facing slopes of Taylor Ridge from High Point north to Hammond Gap. Major Streams on NF: Little Armuchee Creek, Moss Creek, Mill Creek, Storey Mill Creek, Selman Creek, 15.4 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Taylor Ridge (east slopes), Pinhoti Trail, High Point, Gore, Crystal Springs, Subligna, The Narrows Watershed Area: 81 square miles (51,840 ac); National Forest lands – 15%

Table 4- 5. Watershed Management Area – Little Armuchee Creek

HUC # 0315010304 Rx Number Acres Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth 6.B 378.5 Core Areas of Old Growth w/Extended Rotations 6.D 589 Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 135.3 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 6,914.1

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 8,016.9

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5. Armuchee Creek (HUC # 0315010305) CHATTAHOOCHEE General Description: located in the central Armuchee, drains the east facing slopes of NF WATERSHED Taylor Ridge from Hammond Gap to Maddox Gap, and the west facing slopes of Johns MANAGEMENT Mountain. AREAS Major Streams on NF: East Armuchee Creek, West Armuchee Creek, Ruff Creek, Ponder Branch, Concord Creek, Baker Creek, 24 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Taylor Ridge (east slopes), Strawberry Mountain, Johns Mountain (west slopes), Villanow, Ridge & Valley Scenic Byway Watershed Area: 143 square miles (91,520 ac); National Forest lands – 24%

Table 4- 6. Watershed Management Area – Armuchee Creek

HUC # 0315010305 Rx Number Acres Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 119.8 Regional Forester Scenic Areas 4.F.2 49.7 Natural Areas – Few Open Roads 4.I 511.7 Administrative Areas 5.A 2.4 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.B 4,237.8 Ridge & Valley Scenic Byway 7.A 1,323.0 Scenic Corridors & Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 208 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 613.5 Dispersed Recreation with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 406 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 14,658.1

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 22,130

6. Coahulla Creek (HUC # 0315010103) General Description: located in the extreme northeast quadrant of the Armuchee, western portion of City of Dalton, 8% of area in urban use, 18% agricultural, majority of HUC located in valley east of NF, drains north into Tennessee Major Streams on NF: Hurricane Creek, 0.4 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Dalton withdrawal on Coahulla Creek and on Mill Creek above city Landscape Features: Hurricane Mountain, Rocky Face Mountain, Dug Gap, Interstate 75 corridor, City of Dalton Watershed Area: 122 square miles (78,080 ac); National Forest lands – 2%

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Table 4- 7. Watershed Management Area – Coahulla Creek CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED HUC # 0315010103 Rx Number Acres MANAGEMENT Natural Areas – Few Open Roads 4.I 1,295 AREAS Communication Sites 5.B 24 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth 6.B 255.6 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 320.3

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 1,894.9

7. Johns Creek (HUC # 0315010303) General Description: central portion of Armuchee from The Pocket south to Everett Springs, Johns Creek is a primary tributary to Oostanaula River Major Streams on NF: Johns Creek, Blue Springs Branch, Pocket Creek, Dry Creek, Furnace Creek, 42.5 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Johns Mountain, The Pocket Recreation Area, Lake Marvin, Calbeck Mountain, Keown Falls, Hidden Creek, Johns Mountain WMA Watershed Area: – 44 square miles (28,160 ac); National Forest lands – 38%

Table 4- 8. Watershed Management Area - Johns Creek

HUC # 0315010303 Rx Number Acres Regional Forester Designated Scenic Areas 4.F.2 185.9 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.B 3,861.0 Ridge & Valley Scenic Byway Corridor 7.A 1,274.8 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 349 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 446 Rare Communities 9.F 662.6 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 4,388.0

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 10,744.6

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8. Oostanaula River – Upper (HUC # 0315010301) CHATTAHOOCHEE General Description: southeastern portion of Armuchee from Welcome Gap Church south, NF WATERSHED Oostanaula River joins with Etowah River at Rome, GA to form Coosa River MANAGEMENT AREAS Major Streams: Rocky Creek, Blue Spring Branch, Bow Creek, Snake Creek, 41 miles of perennial stream on NF Public Water Supply: City of Rome withdrawal on Oostanaula River Landscape Features: Horn Mountain, Chestnut Mountain, towns of Sugar Valley and Hill City, GA Highway 136, Hidden Creek Recreation Site, U.S. Highway 27 Watershed Area: 117 square miles (74,880 ac), National Forest – 11%

Table 4- 9. Watershed Management Area – Oostanaula River, Upper HUC # 0315010301 Rx Number Acres Natural Areas with Few Open Roads 4.I 137.6 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.B 1,741.4 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 146 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 11.7 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 6,100.8

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 8,137.5

9. Conasauga River, Lower (HUC # 0315010105) General Description – east central portion of Armuchee, southwest of Dalton

Major Streams on NF: Stover Creek, Swamp Creek, Little Swamp Creek, Dry Creek, 20.5 miles of perennial stream

Public Water Supply: City of Dalton withdrawal on Conasauga River

Landscape Features: Redwine Cove, Hurricane Mountain, Pinhoti Trail, east slopes of Rocky Face Mountain, Barn Mountain

Watershed Area: 108 square miles (69,120 ac), National Forest lands – 7%

Table 4- 10. Watershed Management Area - Conasauga River, Lower

HUC # 0315010105 Rx Number Acres Natural Areas – Few Open Roads 4.I 4,004.3 Communication Sites 5.B 10.0 Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old Growth 6.B 16.4 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 1,143

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 5,173.7

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CHATTAHOOCHEE 10. Holly Creek (HUC # 0315010104) NF WATERSHED General Description: southwest-central portion of Cohutta; drains Fort Mountain, Tatum MANAGEMENT Mountain, south facing slopes of Grassy Mountain to Holly Creek Gap on east and north AREAS to Potato Patch Mountain

Major Streams on NF: Holly Creek, Rock Creek, Chicken Creek, Falls Branch, Baker Creek, Mill Creek, Bear Branch, Emery Creek, Dill Creek, Shanty Creek, Muskrat Creek, Milma Creek, 81.5 miles of perennial streams

Public Water Supply: City of Chatsworth on Holly Creek near city limits

Landscape Features: Fort Mountain, Cold Springs Mountain, Tatum Mountain, southwest slopes of Grassy Mountain, Rocky Face, Holly Creek Work Center

Watershed Area: 116 square miles (74,240 ac), National Forest lands – 27%

Table 4- 11. Watershed Management Area - Holly Creek

HUC # 0315010104 Rx Number Acres Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 277.8 Administrative Sites 5.A 13.7 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.B 1,050.5 Scenic Corridors & Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 3,679.7 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 1,240.7 High Elevation Early Successional Habitat 8.E.3 23.3 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 13,607

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 19,892.7

11. Conasauga River, Middle (HUC# 0315010102) General Description: west central portion of Cohutta, from Lake Conasauga north to Chicken Coop Gap west into valley, 2/3 of area in valley west of NF lands Major Streams on NF: Cohorn Branch, Mill Creek, Rocky Flats Branch, Muddy Branch, Sumac Creek, 74.8 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Dalton on Conasauga River in valley Landscape Features: Grassy Mountain, Hickey Gap, US Highway 411 Watershed Area: 143 square miles (91,520 ac), National Forest lands – 20%

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Table 4- 12. Watershed Management Area - Conasauga River, Middle CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED HUC # 0315010102 Rx Number Acres MANAGEMENT Cohutta Wilderness Area 1.A 54.9 AREAS Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Scenic Segments 2.B.2 0.1 Administrative Sites 5.A 3.3 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.B 1,227.5 Scenic Corridors & Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 3,858 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 1.6 High Elevation Early Successional Habitat 8.E.3 590.5 Rare Communities 9.F 28.4 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 12,259.1

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 17,912.6

12. Conasauga River, Upper (HUC # 0315010101) General Description: northwestern portion of Cohutta, flows north into Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. Drains Cohutta Wilderness Area (67% of NF land in GA in HUC) in Georgia, flows north into Tennessee. Western half of HUC is in Ridge & Valley. Major Streams on Chattahoochee NF: outside Wilderness Area - Bogden Creek, Gizzard Branch, Mooneyham Branch, Jigger Creek, East Cowpen Creek, Conasauga River; South Fork and West Fork of Jacks River, inside Wilderness Area – Conasauga River, Popular Camp Creek, Panther Creek, Thomas Creek, Hickory Creek, Rough Creek, Rice Camp Branch, Jacks River, Beech Creek, Murray Creek, Lost Branch, Penitentiary Branch, Bear Branch, Hurricane Branch, Conasauga Creek, Sugar Cove Branch, 198 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Doogan Mountain, Iron Mountain, Alaculsy Valley, Murrays Lake, Cohutta Wilderness, Cottonwood Patch, Three Forks Mountain, Betty Gap, Potato Patch, Ken Mountain, Jones Settlement, Dyer Mountain, Crenshaw Gap, Flat Top Mountain, FS Road 64 on drainage divide Watershed Area: 113 square miles in GA (72,320 acres in GA), National Forest lands in GA – 67% of GA portion of Watershed (Joins Management Area 1 of Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee.)

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CHATTAHOOCHEE Table 4- 13. Watershed Management Area - Conasauga River, Upper NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS HUC # 0315010101 Rx Number Acres Cohutta Wilderness Area 1.A 32,296.5 Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 1.B 693.3 Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Wild Segments 2.B.1 753.1 Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Scenic Segments 2.B.2 343.1 Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers - Recreational Segments 2.B.3 79.6 Administrative Sites 5.A 6.2 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.B 58 Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 2,106.6 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 33.6 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 6,753 High Elevation Early Successional Habitat 8.E.3 241.6 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plan Associations 9.H 3,838.1

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 48,095

13. Mountaintown Creek (HUC # 0315010203) General Description: southeastern portion of Cohutta from Three Forks Mountain south to Indian Grave Knob, Wolfpen Gap and east to Flat Top Mountain, primary tributary to Coosawattee River downstream of Ellijay Major Streams on NF: Mountaintown Creek, Bear Creek, Barnes Creek, Crenshaw Branch, Betty Creek, Harper Creek, Youther Creek, 52.2 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Barnes Creek Recreation Area, Mountaintown Creek, Pink Knob, Flat Top Mountain, Hill’s Lake, FS Road 64 on drainage divide Watershed Area: 73 square miles (46,720 ac), National Forest lands – 29%

Table 4- 14. Watershed Management Area - Mountaintown Creek

HUC # 315010203 Rx Number Acres Custodial Management 0 62.9 Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 935 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 2,719.6 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Mgmt 7.E.2 1,722.0 High Elevation Early Successional Habitat 8.E.3 3.8 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 2,350.3 Remote Backcountry Recreation – Few Open Roads 12.A 5,764.2

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 13,557.5

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CHATTAHOOCHEE 14. Coosawattee River/Carters Lake (HUC # 0315010204) NF WATERSHED General Description: contains Carters Lake managed by Corps of Engineers - power MANAGEMENT generation - located southwest of Ellijay, small acreage of National Forest ownership in AREAS northwest corner on Cohutta near High Top Major Streams on NF: tributaries to Tails Creek, Rodgers Creek, and 2.4 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Chatsworth withdrawal from Carters Lake (Wurley Creek), south of Highway 282/76 Landscape Features: High Top Mountain, east slopes of Tatum Mountain Watershed Area: 72 square miles (46,080 ac), National Forest lands – 2%

Table 4- 15. Watershed Management Area - Coosawattee River/Carters Lake

HUC # 0315010204 Rx Number Acres Custodial Management 0 481.1 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 916.6

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 1,138

15. Toccoa River, Middle (HUC # 0602000302) General Description: drainage begins below Lake Blue Ridge, drains eastern portion of Cohutta including portion of Cohutta Wilderness and northwestern portion of Toccoa, northwest of Blue Ridge. Watershed shared with Cherokee NF in Tennessee; Toccoa River name changes to Ocoee River at Tennessee state line. Outflow controlled by TVA at Lake Blue Ridge dam. Major Streams on NF: McClure Creek, Buck Creek, Polecat Branch, Devilsden Branch, Postelle Creek, Little Fightingtown Creek, Fightingtown Creek, Watson Creek, Higdon Creek, Patterson Creek, Tumbling Creek, 69 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of McCaysville on Toccoa River Landscape Features: towns of Blue Ridge, Mineral Bluff & McCaysville, Tumbling Lead, Porter Mountain, Collins Mountain, Watson Gap, Turkeypen Ridge, Cashes Valley, Bush Head Gap, Ai. Remnants of land damage caused by copper mining still evident on private lands within HUC, Toccoa Ranger District Work Center & office. Watershed Area: 193 square miles in GA (123,520 acres in Georgia), National Forest lands in GA – 16% of GA portion of Watershed (Joins Management Area 2 on Cherokee National Forest.)

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Table 4- 16. Watershed Management Area - Toccoa River, Middle CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED HUC # 0602000302 Rx Number Acres MANAGEMENT Cohutta Wilderness Area 1.A 3,139.6 AREAS Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 152.5 Administrative Sites – Toccoa Work Center 5.A 37.5 Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 840 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 597 High-Elevation, Early Successional Habitat 8.E.3 104.6 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 12,376.1 Remote Backcountry Recreation – Few Open Roads 12.A 2,343

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 19,757.1

16. Ellijay River (HUC # 0315010202) General Description: west central portion of Toccoa, south of Blue Ridge south to Ellijay, northern portion of Rich Mountain Wilderness Major Streams on NF: Turniptown Creek, Little Rock Creek, Rock Creek, Laurel Creek, Frady Creek, Allen Branch, 36 miles of perennial stream on NF Public Water Supply: City of Ellijay withdrawal on Ellijay River north of city limits Landscape Features: northern half of Rich Mountain Wilderness, Rich Mountain WMA, Stover Mountain, Turniptown Mountain, cold Mountain, Deadline Ridge, Rocky Mountain, Chestnut Mountain, GA Highway 515/US 76 (four lane highway) bisects watershed south to north, Cherrylog, Whitepath Watershed Area: 93 square miles (59,520 ac), National Forest lands – 22%

Table 4- 17. Watershed Management Area - Ellijay River

HUC # 0315010202 Rx Number Acres Rich Mountain Wilderness Area 1.A 3,938.6 Recommended Wilderness Study Area 1.B 23.4 Natural Areas – Few Open Roads 4.I 3,195.9 Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 1,115.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 1,210.0 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 401.9 Remote Backcountry – Few Open Roads 12.A 3,222.4

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 13,107.4

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CHATTAHOOCHEE 17. Cartecay River (HUC # 0315010201) NF WATERSHED General Description: southern portion of Rich Mountain Wilderness east to Nimblewill MANAGEMENT Gap and Amicalola Falls State Park AREAS Major Streams on NF: Cartecay River, Anderson Creek, Bucktown Creek, Tickanetley Creek, Weaver Creek, Vandergriff Creek, Holden Creek, Stover Creek, Butler Creek, 39 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Ellijay withdrawal on Cartecay River east of city Landscape Features: southern half of Rich Mountain Wilderness, Rich Mountain WMA, Ed Jenkins NRA, Anderson Creek ORV Trails, Springer Mountain (AT terminus), and apple orchards in private lands on hill slopes Watershed Area: 135 square miles (86,400 ac), National Forest lands – 17%

Table 4- 18. Watershed Management Area - Cartecay River

HUC # 0315010201 Rx Number Acres Custodial Management 0 77.6 Rich Mountain Wilderness Area 1.A 2,981.1 Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area 3.C 2,361.5 Proposed Ed Jenkins NRA Addition 3.D 390.6 Appalachian National Trail Scenic Corridor 4.A 0.1 Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 1,226.4 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 2,026.3 Mix of Successional Forest Habitats 8.A.1 5,956.9

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 15,020.5

18. Amicalola Creek (HUC # 0315010402) General Description: southeastern corner of Toccoa, Amicalola Falls State Park to Nimblewill Gap, majority of HUC is south of NF boundary Major Streams on NF: Amicalola Creek, Cochran Creek, Nimblewill Creek, Chester Creek, 19 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Amicalola Falls State Park, Cochran Falls, Frosty Mountain, Springer Mountain, Black Mountain, Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area, Appalachian Trail on crest of watershed, GA Highway 52 Watershed Area: 98 square miles (62,720 ac), National Forest lands – 7%

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 4-15 CHAPTER 4 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

CHATTAHOOCHEE Table 4- 19. Watershed Management Area - Amicalola Creek NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT HUC # 0315010402 Rx Number Acres AREAS Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area 3.C 3,181.8 Appalachian Trail Corridor 4. A 0.1 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 665.3 Mid to Late Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.1 260.9 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 272.1

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 4,380.2

19. Etowah River, Upper (HUC # 0315101401) General Description: upper headwaters of Etowah River from Black Mountain Gap to Fryingpan Gap to Hawk Mountain, south to Forest proclamation boundary Major Streams on NF: Montgomery Creek, Lance Creek, Jones Creek, Etowah River, Ward Creek, Black Branch, Dunn Branch, Bull Creek, Cane Creek, Two Run Creek, 104 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: Camp Merrill on Etowah River, upstream of military facilities Landscape Features: Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area (20% of NF land area), Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area, Camp Frank Merrill (US Army), Camp Wahsega (UGA- 4H), Appalachian Trail on crest of watershed, Whissenhunt Recreation Area, Jake Mountain Recreation Area, FS Road 42 on drainage divide Watershed Area: 178 square miles (113,920 ac), National Forest lands – 24%

Table 4- 20. Watershed Management Area - Etowah River, Upper HUC # 0315101401 Rx Number Acres Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area 3.C 5,507.4 Proposed National Recreation Area (addition) 3.D 1,638.7 Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor 4.A 1,350.5 Scenic & Wildlife Management Areas 4.F.1 1,427.0 Administrative Sites 5.A 8.9 Camp Frank Merrill Military Use Area 5.D 143.8 Source Water Protection Watershed (Camp Merrill) 9.A.1 1,349.2 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 15,254

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 26,820.3

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CHATTAHOOCHEE 20. Toccoa River, Upper (HUC # 0602000301) NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT General Description: upper headwaters of Toccoa River from Blue Ridge divide north to AREAS dam forming Lake Blue Ridge reservoir Major Streams on NF: Cooper Creek, Knight Creek, Sea Creek, Jones Creek, Long Cove Branch, Tom Jones Branch, Presley Branch, Mulky Creek, Millshoat Creek, Bryant Creek, Garrett Creek, Flat Creek, Board Camp Creek, Jarrard Creek, West Seabolt Creek, Slaughter Creek, Mauldin Creek, Gooch Creek, Williams Creek, Pink Davis Creek, Toccoa River, Davis Creek, Grizzle Creek, Suches Creek, Baker Branch, Canada Creek, Sally Spillers Branch, Mt Airy Creek, Blackwell Creek, Justus Creek, Big Creek, Kennedy Creek, 276 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Blue Ridge withdrawal is just below dam forming Lake Blue Ridge Landscape Features: Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area, Rich Mountain Wilderness Area, Cooper Creek WMA, town of Suches, Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area, Deep Hole Recreation Area, Swinging Bridge, Dial, Benton MacKaye Trail, Appalachian Trail on watershed crest, Mulky Campground, Frank Gross Campground, Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery (Rock Creek), Cooper Creek Scenic Area, GA Hi-way 60, Lake Blue Ridge Reservoir (Tennessee Valley Authority), FS Road 42 on drainage divide Watershed Area: 232 square miles (148,479 ac), National Forest lands – 69%

Table 4- 21. Watershed Management Area - Toccoa River, Upper Rx HUC # 0602000301 Number Acres Custodial Management 0 153.7 Rich Mountain Wilderness Area 1.A 4,343.7 Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Scenic Segments 2.B.2 0.2 Coosa Bald National Scenic Area 3.A 3,463.0 Ed Jenkins National Recreation Area 3.C 12,609.2 Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor 4.A 5,735.6 Scenic Areas 4.F 2,628 Scenic and Wildlife Management Areas 4.F.1 2,059.1 Regional Forester Scenic Areas 4.F.2 1,212 Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 5,465.5 Natural Areas with Few Open Roads 4.I 1,211.7 Administrative Sites 5.A 12.9 Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 1,349.5 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 27,121.7 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 6,049.5 Mid to Late Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.1 18,689.9 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 7,830 Remote Backcountry Recreation – Few Open Roads 12.A 1,882.3

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 101,774.9

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CHATTAHOOCHEE 21. Chestatee River/Yahoola Creek (HUC # 0313000106) NF WATERSHED General Description: along Blue Ridge Divide at Gooch Gap to Woody Gap south to MANAGEMENT Dahlonega AREAS Major Streams on NF: West Cane Creek, Cane Creek, Bryant Creek, Yahoola Creek, Walnut Cove, Poplar Branch, Woody Creek, Walker Creek, Pruitt Creek, Ward Creek, 35 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Dahlonega & Lumpkin County – on Yahoola Creek east of city near GA Highway 52 and US 19 bypass Landscape Features: Appalachian Trail along crest of watershed, Gooch Gap, Woody Gap, Glass Mine Mountain, Horseshoe Ridge, Dockery Gap, Porter Springs, Fort Smith, R Ranch Recreation Site (private), Camp Glisson (private), City of Dahlonega, Crown Mountain, GA Highway 52, US Highway 19, GA Highway 60 Watershed Area: 98 square miles (62,720 ac), National Forest lands – 19%

Table 4- 22. Watershed Management Area - Chestatee River/Yahoola Creek HUC # 0313000106 Rx Number Acres Blood Mountain Wilderness Area 1.A 1.1 Administrative Sites 5.A 47 Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor 4.A 1,244.9 Scenic and Wildlife Management Areas 4.F.1 98.2 Administrative Sites 5.A 56.3 Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old Growth 6.B 584.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 1,205.4 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 88.6 Source Water Protection Watershed (Yahoola Creek Reservoir) 9.A.1 4,684.8 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 4,153.1

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 12,116.6

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CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED 22. Chestatee River/Dicks Creek (HUC # 0313000105) MANAGEMENT General Description: along Blue Ridge Divide from Woody Gap to Neels Gap to Cowrock AREAS Mountain south

Major Streams on NF: Columbia Creek, Waters Creek, Dicks Creek, Mille Creek, Pruitt Creek, Blood Mountain Creek, Frogtown Creek, Boggs Creek, Town Creek, Turner Creek, Tesnatee Creek, Cavenders Creek, 60 miles of perennial streams

Public Water Supply: none

Landscape Features: Appalachian Trail along drainage divide, Woody Gap, Dockery Lake Recreation Site, Waters Creek Trophy Trout Stream, Chestatee WMA, Waters Creek Recreation Site, Turners Corner, Desoto Falls, Blood Mountain Wilderness (35% of NF land area), Boggs Creek Recreation Site, western portion of Raven Cliffs Wilderness, GA Highway 60, US 19/129 bisects watershed

Watershed Area: 135 square miles (86,400 ac), National Forest lands – 32%

Table 4- 23. Watershed Management Area - Chestatee River/Dicks Creek HUC # 0313000105 Rx Number Acres Blood Mountain Wilderness Area 1.A 9,530.9 Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 1.B 427 Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor 4.A 49.9 Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 93.6 Scenic Areas 4.F 4,046.3 Regional Forester Scenic and Wildlife Mgmt Area 4.F.1 7,089.8 Regional Forester Scenic Area 4.F.2 698.8 Areas Managed to Maintain or Restore Old Growth 6.B 639.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 2,486 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Mgmt 7.E.2 2,856.4

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 27,942

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 4-19 CHAPTER 4 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT 23. Nottely River/Nottely Lake (HUC # 0602000208) AREAS General Description: Blue Ridge Divide at Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap to Jacks Knob north into North Carolina, watershed shared with Nantahala NF in North Carolina, headwaters of Nottely Lake reservoir (Tennessee Valley Authority) Major Streams on NF: Crumby Creek, Town Creek, Long Branch, Arkaqua Creek, Fain Branch, Indian Camp Creek, Gilliam Branch, Rough Branch, Tom Branch, Townsend Branch, Wolf Creek, Wildcat Branch, Hogpen Branch, Nance Payne Cove, Frogtown Cove, Hatchet Creek, Richland Creek, Nottely River, Laughter Branch, Stink Smell Creek, Rough Creek, Spiva Branch, 150 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Blairsville withdrawal on Nottely River upstream of city near US 129 Landscape Features: Blood Mountain Wilderness, western portion of Raven Cliffs Wilderness, northern portion of Mark Trail Wilderness, western portion of Brasstown Wilderness, (24% of NF land area in wilderness), Beasley Knob Recreation Site, Coosa Bald Scenic Area, Appalachian Trail on watershed divide, Vogel State Park, Georgia Mountain Experiment Station (UGA), city of Blairsville, Lake Nottely (TVA) – 4,181 acres, Davenport Mountain, western portion of GumLog Mountain Watershed Area: 214 square miles (136,960 ac), National Forest lands – 36%

Table 4- 24. Watershed Management Area - Nottely River/Nottely Lake

HUC # 0602000208 Rx Number Acres Wilderness Areas (Blood Mtn, Raven Cliffs, Mark Trail) 1.A 11,969.9 Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 1.B 2,652.6 Coosa Bald National Scenic Area 3.A 3,659.0 Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor 4.A 94.1 Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 230.8 Cultural and Heritage Areas 4.E.1 86.8 Richard Russell Scenic Byway Corridor 7.A 2,899 Scenic Corridors and Sensitive Viewsheds 7.B 902.3 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 13,891.0 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 22.5 Mid to Late Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.1 4,649.4 Area Sensitive, Mid to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.2 5,256.6 High-Elevation, Early Successional Habitats 8.E.3 2,969 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 60.3

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 48,988.7

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CHATTAHOOCHEE 24. Brasstown Creek (HUC # 0602000204) NF WATERSHED General Description: from Brasstown Bald north into North Carolina, watershed shared MANAGEMENT with Nantahala NF in North Carolina, town of Young Harris AREAS Major Streams: Gumlog Creek, East Gumlog Creek, Winchester Creek, Caldwell Branch, Bitter Creek, Stevens Branch, Green Branch, Brasstown Creek, Yewell Branch, Corn Creek, 35 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: Young Harris withdraws from ground water sources Landscape Features: Brasstown Bald – highest elevation in Georgia, Brasstown Wilderness, Gumlog Mountain, town of Young Harris, Plott Cove Research Natural Area (inside Brasstown Wilderness) Watershed Area: 51 square miles (32,640 ac), National Forest lands – 32%

Table 4- 25. Watershed Management Area - Brasstown Creek

HUC # 0602000204 Rx Number Acres Custodial Management 0 99 Brasstown Wilderness Area 1.A 3,672.8 Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 59.7 Cultural Heritage Areas 4.E.1 99.3 Administrative Sites 5.A 10.9 Richard Russell Scenic Byway Corridor 7.A 51.4 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 509 Area Sensitive, Mid to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.2 6,028 High Elevation Early Successional Habitat 8.E.3 13.5

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 10,503.7

25. Hiwassee River/Chatuge Lake (HUC # 0602000201) General Description: from Unicoi Gap to Young Lick to Dicks Creek Gap into North Carolina, watershed shared with Nantahala NF in North Carolina, Lake Chatuge reservoir managed by Tennessee Valley Authority Major Streams on NF: Soapstone Creek, Gurley Branch, Watkins Branch, Dick Branch, Henson Creek, Joe Creek, Flat Branch, Garrett Branch, Dills Branch, Owl Creek, The Gorge, Sparks Branch, Cynth Creek, Fall Branch, Silas Branch, Kendall Branch, Corbin Creek, Hogpen Branch, Mossy Cove Branch, High Shoals Creek, Brier Creek, Noron Branch, Kirby Branch, Hooper Branch, Bearmeat Creek, Bugscuffle Branch, Shake Rag Branch, Sims Branch, 170 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Hiwassee withdrawal on headwaters of Lake Chatuge, east of city near US 76 Landscape Features: High Shoals Falls Recreation Site, Swallows Creek WMA, Indian Grave Gap, northern portion of Tray Mountain Wilderness, western portion of Southern Nantahala Wilderness (33% of NF lands in wilderness), Bell Mountain, Tray Mountain, Young Lick (three river basins divide), Appalachian Trail on crest of watershed, Lake

LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 4-21 CHAPTER 4 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

CHATTAHOOCHEE Chatuge, city of Hiawassee, GA Highway 17-75 bisects watershed north to south, GA 515- NF WATERSHED US 76 traverses watershed west to east MANAGEMENT Watershed Area: 133 square miles in GA (85,120 acres in GA), National Forest lands in AREAS GA – 56% of GA portion of Watershed

Table 4- 26. Watershed Management Area - Hiwassee River/Chatuge Lake

HUC # 0602000201 Rx Number Acres Southern Nantahala & Tray Mountain Wilderness Areas 1.A 15,726.9 Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 1.B 2,891.9 Scenic Areas 4.F 700 Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor 4.A 3,802 Scenic Areas 4.F 90.1 Scenic and Wildlife Management Areas 4.F.1 3,410.4 Regional Forester Scenic Areas 4.F.2 148.4 Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 2,804.1 Richard Russell Scenic Byway Corridor 7.A 3,618.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 5,795.8 Mid to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.1 3,970.5 Area Sensitive, Mid to Late Forest Emphasis 8.A.2 917.2 Remote Backcountry Recreation – Few Open Roads 12.A 4,544.8

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 47,843.4

26. Chattahoochee River/Chickamauga Creek (HUC # 0313000101) General Description – upper headwaters of Chattahoochee River, Hogpen Gap to Jacks Knob to Unicoi Gap to Young Lick south to proclamation boundary near Helen, GA Major Streams on NF: Bruner Branch, Double Culvert Branch, Cool Springs Branch, England Camp Branch, Low Gap Creek, Jasus Creek, Chattahoochee River, Naked Mountain Branch, Henson Creek, Wilkes Creek, Indian Camp Creek, Martin Branch, White Branch, Devils Den Branch, Andrews Creek, Turkeypen Branch, Spoilcane Creek, Lost House Branch, Rice Cabin Creek, Smith Creek, York Creek, Dukes Creek, Dover Creek, Chickamauga Creek, McClure Creek, Nester Branch, 115 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: City of Helen withdrawal from Chattahoochee River in city, Unicoi State Park withdrawal from Unicoi Lake (on Smith Creek), Sky Lake development from local lake Landscape Features: Mark Trail Wilderness, Tray Mountain Wilderness (40% of NF lands in wilderness), Chattahoochee WMA, Unicoi State Park, Anna Ruby Falls, Upper Chattahoochee Recreation Site, Smithgall Woods Conservation Park (GA DNR), Dukes Creek Falls, eastern portion of Raven Cliffs wilderness, White Oak Gap, east slopes of Mount Yonah, city of Helen, headwaters of Chattahoochee River Watershed Area: 155 square miles (99,200 ac), National Forest lands – 40%

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Table 4- 27. Watershed Management Area - Chattahoochee CHATTAHOOCHEE River/Chickamauga Creek NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT HUC # 0313000101 Rx Number Acres AREAS Wilderness Areas - Mark Trail, Raven Cliffs & Tray Mountain 1.A 16,122 Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Wild Segment 2.B.1 1,229.8 Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Recreational Segment 2.B.3 343.2 Appalachian Trail Corridor 4.A 1,230.1 Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 91.4 Scenic Areas 4.F 6,325.8 Scenic and Wildlife Management Areas 4.F.1 4,341.7 Regional Forester Scenic Areas 4.F.2 2,187.4 Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 19 Richard Russell Scenic Byway Corridor 7.A 3,264.1 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 688.9 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 1,147 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 2,497.9

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 39,905.1

27. Tallulah River (HUC # 0306010207) General Description: begins in North Carolina in Southern Nantahala Wilderness, flows through National Forest lands through five Georgia Power lakes managed for hydroelectric power, joins Chattooga River downstream from Tallulah Falls at South Carolina state line Major Streams on NF: Tallulah River, Plum Orchard Creek, Coleman River, Mill Creek, Beech Creek, Charlies Creek, Holden Branch, Persimmon Creek, Timpson Creek, Flat Creek, Falls Branch, Crow Creek, Slick Shoal Creek, 69 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: City of Clayton & Rabun County withdrawal on Lake Rabun near Lakemont Landscape Features: Southern Nantahala Wilderness in GA and NC, Coleman River Scenic Area, Tate City (private lands), Rabun Beach - Forest Service recreation sites on Lake Rabun. Georgia Power owns Lakes Burton, Seed, Rabun, Tallulah and Tugaloo located on main stem of Tallulah River – cover a river distance of 34 miles and reservoir surface of 4,475 acres (largest is Lake Burton). Reservoirs operated for power generation since early 20th century. Shoreline around lakes if primarily owned by Georgia Power and leased for recreation residences. Tallulah Dome geologic feature dominates southern portion of watershed; watershed elevation ranges from 744 feet at Yonah Lake spillway to 5,499 feet at Standing Indian in North Carolina. Watershed Area: 178 square miles in GA (113,920 acres in GA), National Forest lands – 58% of GA portion of Watershed

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CHATTAHOOCHEE Table 4- 28. Watershed Management Area - Tallulah River NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT HUC # 0306010207 Rx Number Acres AREAS Custodial Management 0 77.3 Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area (GA) 1.A 7,688.2 Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 1.B 844 Appalachian National Scenic Trail Corridor 4.A 3.435.9 Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 241.1 Regional Forester Scenic Areas 4.F.2 314.9 Forest Designated Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 4,135 Administrative Sites 5.A 6.6 Communication Sites 5.B 11.6 Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old Growth 6.B 3,193.3 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 3,923.6 Mid to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.1 20,852.0 Area Sensitive, Mid to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.2 11,593.5 Watershed Restoration Areas 9.A.3 112 Rare Communities 9.F 53.8 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 6,579 Remote Backcountry – Few Open Roads 12.A 2,996.2

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 65,895

28. Soque River (HUC # 0313000102) General Description: primary tributary to Chattahoochee River, headwaters on National Forest in Tray Mountain wilderness Major Streams on NF: Soque River, Goshen Creek, Goshen Branch, Raper Creek, Chastain Branch, Pigeon Creek, Nester Branch, Shoal Creek, Nerve Branch, 45 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Clarkesville withdrawal on Soque River upstream of City Landscape Features: eastern slopes of Tray Mountain Wilderness, Yellow Mountain, Oakey Mountain, Moates Knob Watershed Area: 159 square miles (101,760 ac), National Forest lands – 17%

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Table 4- 29. Watershed Management Area - Soque River CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED HUC # 0313000102 Rx Number Acres MANAGEMENT Tray Mountain Wilderness Area 1.A 3,502.4 AREAS Scenic Areas 4.F 851.4 Forest Designated Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 1,031 Communication Sites 5.B 0.5 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.B 2,373.5 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 6,110.1 Mid to Late Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.1 14.9 Rare Communities 9.F 7.0 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 3,633.1

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 17,523.4

29. Little Tennessee River (HUC # 0601020201) General Description: north-central Rabun County drains north into North Carolina, valleys on private land with towns of Dillard and Mountain City, watershed flows north through valley into North Carolina, shared with Nantahala NF in Macon County, NC

Major Streams on NF: Patterson Creek, Hopper Branch, Keener Creek, Darnell Creek, Thomas Creek, Blacks Creek, Kelly Creek, Betty Creek, 26 miles of perennial streams on NF

Public Water Supply: none, Rabun Apparel industrial withdrawal on Little Tennessee River

Landscape Features: Patterson Gap, cultivation of truck crops is a primary industry on private land in valleys along US 441 between Mountain City and Dillard, Coweeta Hydrologic Lab (FS Research) located in watershed near Otto, NC, Sky Valley residential development on east side of watershed near NC state line

Watershed Area: 48 square miles in GA (30,720 acres in GA), National Forest lands – 36% of GA portion of Watershed

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CHATTAHOOCHEE Table 4- 30. Watershed Management Area - Little Tennessee River NF WATERSHED HUC # 0601020201 Rx Number Acres MANAGEMENT Custodial Management 0 297.3 AREAS Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area 1.A 7.9 Natural Areas – Few Open Roads 4.I 1,306.7 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.B 1,717 Mid to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.1 279.3 High Elevation, Early Successional Habitats 8.E.3 3,005.6 Watershed Restoration Areas 9.A.3 6.1 Remote Backcountry Recreation – Few Open Roads 12.A 4,597.0

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 11,094

30. Chattooga River - North, East, and West Forks (HUC # 0306010201) General Description – Watershed in northeastern corner of Georgia, shared with Nantahala NF in North Carolina and Sumter NF in South Carolina, watershed ranges from high elevation near state lines to Piedmont near confluence with Tallulah River, Chattooga Wild and Scenic River along boundary with South Carolina, highest rainfall in Georgia (excess of 70 inches annually) Major Streams on NF: Chattooga River, West Fork of Chattooga River, Reed Creek, Nicholson Creek, Bad Creek, Ammons Branch, Pigpen Branch, Camp Branch, Laurel Creek, Sarahs Creek, Billingsley Creek, Holcomb Creek, Addie Branch, Warwoman Creek, Stekoa Creek, Roach Mill Creek, Tuckaluge Creek, Gold Mine Branch, Chechero Creek, She Creek, Cliff Creek, Camp Creek, 255 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Rabun Bald, Chattooga Wild & Scenic River, Ellicott Rock Wilderness, Warwoman geologic fault zone, City of Clayton, Tiger, Black Rock Mountain State Park, US Highways 441 and 76 bisect watershed, elevation ranges from 900 feet at Tugaloo Lake to 4,800 feet at the watershed divide in North Carolina Watershed Area: – 165 square miles in GA (105,600 acres in GA), National Forest lands – 73% of GA portion of Watershed. Management within this watershed is coordinated with the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina and the Highlands Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. In the Sumter Forest Plan, the corresponding watershed management area is number 2. Goals, objectives, standards and desired conditions for the watershed are a composite of the three Forest Plans and recognize the differing ecological and social differences among the Forests.

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CHATTAHOOCHEE Table 4- 31. Watershed Management Area - Chattooga River - North, East, and NF WATERSHED West Forks MANAGEMENT AREAS HUC # 0306010201 Rx Number Acres Custodial Management 0 458.8 Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area 1.A 2,022.9 Recommended Wilderness Study Areas 1.B 562.3 Chattooga W & S River - Wild River Segments 2.A.1 5,997.8 Chattooga W & S River - Scenic River Segments 2.A.2 467.4 Chattooga W & S River – Recreational Segment 2.A.3 1,549.9 Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Wild Segments 2.B.1 136.8 Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Scenic Segments 2.B.2 180.5 Chattooga River - Recreational River Segments 2.A.3 1,551 Natural Areas – Few Open Roads 4.I 6,280.0 Administrative Sites 5.A 3.1 Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old Growth 6.B 9.6 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 2,679.5 Mid to Late-Successional Forest Emphasis 8.A.1 13,610.7 High Elevation Early Successional Habitat 8.E.3 6.5 Watershed Restoration Areas 9.A.3 16,299.5 Rare Communities 9.F 381.4 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 24,466.5 Remote Backcountry – Few Open Roads 12.A 1,788.1

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 76,901.3

31. Tugaloo River/Panther Creek (HUC # 0306010206) General Description: located in upper Piedmont, transition to Southern Appalachian Mountains, Tallulah Dome (north boundary) geologic feature dominants landforms, US Highway 441 bisects watershed, City of Toccoa, watershed also in South Carolina Named Streams on NF: Panther Creek, Davidson Creek, Little Panther Creek, Little Toccoa Creek, Toccoa Creek, Cedar Creek, Charlie Branch, Rothwell Creek, Big Shoal Branch, Horse Creek, 68 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Toccoa secondary storage reservoir located on Davidson Creek Landscape Features: Tallulah Dome, Panther Creek Recreation Site near US 441, Locust Stake Recreation Site, Yonah Lake, Lake Hartwell reservoir managed by Corps of Engineers, Toccoa Falls (at Toccoa Falls College), Panther Creek Falls Watershed Area: 86 square miles in GA (55,040 acres in GA), National Forest lands – 38% of GA portion of Watershed

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CHATTAHOOCHEE Table 4- 32. Watershed Management Area - Tugaloo River/Panther Creek NF WATERSHED HUC # 0306010206 Rx Number Acres MANAGEMENT Botanical – Zoological Areas 4.D 1,522.9 AREAS Forest-Designated Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 2,092.7 Areas Managed to Restore/Maintain Old-Growth Characteristics 6.B 1,262.9 Source Water Protection Watersheds (City of Toccoa) 9.A.1 3,282.5 Watershed Restoration Areas 9.A.3 203 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 12,745.8

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 21,109.8

32. Broad River, North and Middle Forks (HUC # 0306010401) General Description: Piedmont hills watershed, tributary of the Savannah River, cities of Cornelia and Mt. Airy at headwaters on Brevard Fault-Gainesville Ridges Major Streams on NF: North Fork-Broad River, Middle Fork-Broad River, Kimbell Creek, Nancytown Creek, Big Leatherwood Creek, 114 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: Cities of Cornelia, Baldwin, Mt. Airy and Demorest withdraw from Hazel Creek watershed on west side of Gainesville Ridge Landscape Features: Lake Russell WMA, Lake Russell-Nancytown Recreation Sites, Curahee Mountain, Chenocetah Mountain, GA Highway 365/US Highway 441 on north and west boundaries of watershed, Gainesville Ridges landform feature along GA 365, town of Baldwin, Cornelia, Mt. Airy Watershed Area: 305 square miles (195,200 ac), National Forest lands – 12%

Table 4- 33. Watershed Management Area - Broad River, North and Middle Forks HUC # 0306010401 Rx Number Acres Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 554.6 Cultural/Heritage Areas 4.E.1 4.5 Scenic Areas 4.F 4,187.1 Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 2,259.5 Communication Sites 5.B 2.1 Watershed Restoration Areas 9.A.3 1,232.6 Rare Communities 9.F 11.1 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 15,330.6

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES FOR MGMT AREA 23,582.1

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National Forest Lands on Chattahoochee NF Assigned Outside CHATTAHOOCHEE Watershed Management Areas NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT Two small areas of National Forest ownership occur on the Chattahoochee National Forest in fifth level watersheds not assigned to Watershed Management Areas. Forest AREAS Service ownership is quite small in these watersheds, therefore not justifying the establishment of separate management areas. The following information is provided for these two areas:

A. Coosawattee River – Lower (HUC # 0315010208) – this area is located on the extreme southern end of the Cohutta portion of the Armuchee- Cohutta Ranger District on the lower southern slopes of Cold Spring Mountain and Brushy Top in three land lots, two in Murray County and one in Gilmer County. Tributaries of Sugar Creek that flows into the Coosawattee River drain these lands. National Forest acreage is approximately 300 acres, allocated to Management Prescription 0, Custodial Management and a small area of 9H, Management, Maintenance and Restoration of Plant Associations. B. Nottely River – Lower (HUC # 0602000209) – two small areas of National Forest lands occur in this HUC, located north and northeast of Nottely Lake, on the Brasstown Ranger District in Union County, GA. One area is located just below the dam forming Nottely Lake. Streams flowing from these lands are tributaries of Dooley Creek and Rhodes Creek. Allocation is to Management Prescription 7E1, Dispersed Recreation. National Forest acreage is approximately 350 acres. A second area is located north of Mary Gap on Gumlog Mountain, north of FS Road 819. Tributaries of Moccasin Creek in North Carolina drain this small area of NF land. National Forest on this tract covers about 45 acres, also allocated to Management Prescription 7E1.

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CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS

Conasauga River- upper- Toccoa River- 0315010101 middle- 0602000302

Conasauga River- middle- 0315010102

Little Chickamauga Coahulla Creek-East Creek Chickamauga 0315010103 Ellijay Creek River 0602000109 Mountaintown 0315010202 Creek 0315010203 Holly Creek 0315010104

Conasauga River- lower- Cartecay Chattooga River- 0315010105 Coosawattee River- River upper- Carters Lake- 0315010201 0315010504 Armuchee 0315010204 Creek 0315010305

Oostanaula River-upper- 0315010301

Johns Creek 0315010303 Chattooga River- lower- 0315010505 Little Armuchee Creek 0315010304

Figure 4- 1. Westside Watershed Management Areas with Forest Ownership Highlighted

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CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS

Brasstown r- Creek 0602000204 Toccoa River- middle- Hiawassee River- 0602000302 Chatuge Lake 0602000201

Tallulah River Nottely River- 0306010207 Nottely Lake 0602000208

Ellijay River 0315010202

Toccoa River-upper- 0602000301

Chattahoochee River- Chickamauga Creek 0313000101

Cartecay - River 0315010201 Chestatee River- Soque Dicks Creek River 0313000105 03130001

Amicalola Etowah River- Chestatee Creek upper- River- 0315010402 0315010401 Yahoola Creek 0313000106

Figure 4- 2. Central Watershed Management Areas with Forest Ownership Highlighted

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CHATTAHOOCHEE NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS

Little Brasstown Tennessee Creek River 0602000204 0601020201 Hiawassee River- Chatuge Lake 0602000201 North, East, West Forks Chattooga River 0306010201 Tallulah River Nottely River- 0306010207 Nottely Lake 0602000208

Toccoa River-upper- 0602000301 Chattahoochee River- Chickamauga Creek 0313000101

Soque Tugaloo River- River Panther Creek 201 Chestatee River- 0313000102 0306010206 Dicks Creek 0313000105

Etowah River- Chestatee Amicalola upper- River- Creek 0315010401 Yahoola Creek 0315010402 0313000106

Broad River- North and Middle Forks 0306010401

Figure 4- 3. Eastside Watershed Management Areas with Forest Ownership Highlighted

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OCONEE NF OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST WATERSHED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS MANAGEMENT AREAS Figure 4- 4 at the end of the Oconee WMA descriptions shows the location of each hydrologic unit. 33. Ocmulgee River/Big Sandy Creek (HUC # 0307010310) General Description: drains western portion of Oconee National Forest in Jasper County, downstream of Lake Jackson and Lloyd Shoals Dam, GA Highway 16 crosses northern boundary, western half of HUC occurs on west side of Ocmulgee River in Butts County, GA; ends at Juliette Major Streams on NF: White Creek, Wise Creek, Harmon Pye Branch, Rush Creek, Kinnard Creek, and Ocmulgee River, 56 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Wise Creek Recreation site, Ocmulgee River horseback trails Watershed Area: – 194 square miles (124,160 ac), National Forest lands – 12%

Table 4- 34. Watershed Management Area - Ocmulgee River/Big Sandy Creek

HUC # 0307010310 Rx Number Acres Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Scenic Segments 2.B.2 3,043.0 Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old Growth Characteristics 6.B 424.4 Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Sub-Habitat Management Areas 8.D.1 8,370.8 Rare Communities 9.F 106.1 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 2,674.0

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 14,618.3

34. Ocmulgee River/Rum Creek (HUC # 0307010313) General Description: southwestern portion of Oconee in Jasper and Jones Counties, Piedmont Wildlife Refuge, western half of HUC is located in Monroe County on western side of Ocmulgee River, HUC ends near Dames Ferry Major Streams: Falling Creek, Gladesville Creek, Little Gladesville Creek, Stalking Head Creek, Caney Creek, Hurricane Creek, 62 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Piedmont Wildlife Refuge & Headquarters, Hitchiti Experimental Forest & Headquarters, Ernst Brender Demonstration Forest, feldspar mining, Iredell soils in “glady” areas, Jarrell Historical Plantation State Park, GA Highway 11 on eastern drainage divide Watershed Area: 215 square miles (137,600 ac), National Forest lands – 13%

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OCONEE NF Table 4- 35. Watershed Management Area - Ocmulgee River/Rum Creek WATERSHED MANAGEMENT HUC # 0307010313 Rx Number Acres AREAS Hitchiti Experimental Forest 3.B 4,637.6 Botanical/Zoological Areas 4.D 666.8 Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 722 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Management Areas 8.D 3.6 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Sub-Habitat Management Areas 8.D.1 7,303.0 Rare Communities 9.F 248.3 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 4,055.7

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 17,637

35. Big Cedar Creek (HUC # 0307010117) General Description – south central portion of Oconee in Jasper, Jones and Putnam Counties, City of Monticello in upper headwaters, Major Streams on NF: Glady Creek, Marshal Creek, Cedar Creek, Big Cedar Creek, Miller Creek, Rock Creek, upper end of Lake Sinclair reservoir managed by Georgia Power, 74 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: City of Monticello withdrawal on Pope’s Branch NW of city Landscape Features: Monticello, Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area, Hillsboro Lake Recreation Site, Miller Creek Lake, Resseaus Crossroads, Lake Sinclair Recreation Site, GA Highway 11 on western drainage divide, GA Highway 212 on northern drainage divide, US 129/GA 44 Watershed Area: – 217 square miles (138,879 ac), National Forest lands – 16%

Table 4- 36. Watershed Management Area - Big Cedar Creek

HUC # 0307010117 Rx Number Acres Custodial Management 0 3.1 Botanical – Zoological Areas 4.D 218.5 Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 1,951.4 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 967.1 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Management Areas 8.D 14,014.7 Rare Communities 9.F 27.9 Management, Maintenance and Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 4,779

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 21,924.1

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36. Murder Creek (HUC # 0307010116) OCONEE NF General Description: central portion of Oconee in Putnam and Jasper Counties, Lake WATERSHED Sinclair (Georgia Power) downstream MANAGEMENT AREAS Major Streams on NF: Murder Creek, Beaverdam Creek, Hitchcock Branch, Baker Branch, 40 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Murder Creek Research Natural Area Watershed Area: 207 square miles (132,480 ac), National Forest lands – 11%

Table 4- 37. Watershed Management Area - Murder Creek

HUC # 0307010116 Rx Number Acres Murder Creek Research Natural Area 4.B.1 1,003.7 Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 1,533 Areas Managed to Restore or Maintain Old-Growth Characteristics 6.B 1,191.2 Dispersed Recreation Areas 7.E.1 17.2 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Management Areas 8.D 7,993.5 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 3,086.2

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 14,746.3

37. Little River, Lower (HUC #0307010115) General Description: east central portion of Oconee Ranger District upriver from Lake Sinclair reservoir, Eatonton Major Streams on NF: Little River, Pearson Creek, Glady Creek, Little Glady Creek, 41 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: City of Eatonton, Eatonton public water supply withdrawal on Little River, Oconee Ranger District office and work center, Rock Eagle 4-H Camp Watershed Area: 79 square miles (50,560 ac), National Forest lands – 28%

Table 4- 38. Watershed Management Area - Little River, Lower

HUC #0307010115 Rx Number Acres Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Scenic Segments 2.B.2 1,530.3 Administrative Sites 5.A 101.2 Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat 8.D 8,776 Rare Communities 9.F 20.1 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 3,644.5

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 14,163.2

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OCONEE NF 38. Little River, Upper (HUC # 0307010114) WATERSHED General Description: northwest corner of Putnam County, west of National Forest MANAGEMENT proclamation boundary AREAS Major Streams on NF: Little River, Big Indian Creek, 3.4 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: B.F. Grant Experimental Forest (UGA), Mt. Gilead Church area Watershed Area: 218 square miles (139,519 ac), National Forest lands – 1%

Table 4- 39. Watershed Management Area - Little River, Upper

HUC # 0307010114 Rx Number Acres Recommended Wild & Scenic Rivers – Scenic Segments 2.B.2 281.1 Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat 8.D 554.7 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plan Associations 9.H 193.3

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 1,029.1

39. Oconee River/Sugar Creek (HUC # 0307010110) General Description: central portion of Lake Oconee reservoir managed by Georgia Power, Interstate 20 bisects watershed, City of Madison in headwaters of HUC, located in Putnam, Morgan and Greene Counties Major Streams: none on National Forest, Oconee River (within Lake Oconee), Sugar Creek, Glade Branch, Highlog Branch, Lick Creek Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Lake Oconee, Interstate 20, U.S. Highway 441/129, GA Highway 44 Watershed Area: 168 square miles (107,520 ac), National Forest lands – 8 acres or <0.01% of total, only NF ownership is located along US 441/129 south of Henderson Grove Church on ridgeline, near Highlog Branch

Table 4- 40. Watershed Management Area - Oconee River/Sugar Creek

HUC # 0307010110 Rx Number Acres Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Habitat Management Areas 8.D 8.3

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 8.3

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40. Apalachee River, Lower (HUC # 0307010109) OCONEE NF General Description – forms western boundary of National Forest lands in Greene County, WATERSHED major tributary to Oconee River in Greene, Morgan, and Oconee Counties MANAGEMENT AREAS Major Streams on NF: tributaries to Apalachee River, 16 miles of perennial streams Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Lake Oconee reservoir managed by Georgia Power as pump storage facility to support Lake Sinclair downstream, Trembling Bridge rifle range, Swords Boat Ramp at lower end of HUC on Lake Oconee, US 278/GA 12, Greshamville Watershed Area: 178 square miles (113,920 ac), National Forest lands – 4%

Table 4- 41. Watershed Management Area - Apalachee River, Lower

HUC # 0307010109 Rx Number Acres Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 2,078.5 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 2,765.5

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 4,844

41. Oconee River/Big Creek (HUC # 0307010106) General Description: northeastern portion of Oconee in Greene and Oglethorpe Counties Major Streams on NF: Falling Creek, Sandy Creek, 18 miles of perennial streams on NF Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Scull Shoals Cultural Heritage site, Scull Shoals Experimental Forest, Oconee River Recreation site Watershed Area: 154 square miles (98,560 ac), National Forest lands – 5%

Table 4- 42. Watershed Management Area - Oconee River/Big Creek

HUC # 0307010106 Rx Number Acres Scull Shoals Experimental Forest 3.B 3,092.8 Botanical and Zoological Areas 4.D 217.5 Cultural and Heritage Areas 4.E.1 111.8 Dispersed Recreation Areas w/Vegetation Management 7.E.2 1,295.4 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 291.7

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 5,009.2

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OCONEE NF 42. Oconee River/Greenbrier Creek (HUC # 0307010107) WATERSHED General Description: North central portion of Oconee in Greene County, east of Lake MANAGEMENT Oconee, north of Interstate 20, village of Penfield AREAS Major Streams on NF: Harris Creek, Fishing Creek, Town Creek, Beaverdam Creek, 80 miles of perennial stream Public Water Supply: none Landscape Features: Redlands Wildlife Management Area, Redlands Boat Ramp on Lake Oconee, Roberts Bicycle Trails, Scull Shoals Experimental Forest, Dyar Pasture waterfowl area & boat ramp, US 278/GA 12 Watershed Area: 157 square miles (100,480 ac), National Forest lands – 21%

Table 4- 43. Watershed Management Area - Oconee River/Greenbrier Creek

HUC # 0307010107 Rx Number Acres Custodial Management 0 139.8 Scull Shoals Experimental Forest 3.B 1,632.3 Botanical/Zoological Areas 4.D 110.7 Outstandingly Remarkable Streams 4.H 603 Administrative Sites 5.A 0.5 Dispersed Recreation Areas with Vegetation Management 7.E.2 4,725.1 Rare Communities 9.F 191.5 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 13,381.4

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 20,783.8

43. Richland Creek (HUC # 0307010111) General Description: watershed surrounding Greensboro, Georgia in Greene County, tributary to Lake Oconee, bisected by Interstate 20 Major Streams on NF: tributaries of Rush Creek – flows into Richland Creek north of Greensboro, 1 mile of perennial streams on NF Public Water Supply: City of Greensboro withdrawal on Lake Oconee west of city Landscape Features: City of Greensboro, Interstate 20 and GA Highway 44 bisect watershed, US Highway 278 Watershed Area: 159 square miles (101,760 ac), National Forest lands – <1%

Table 4- 44. Watershed Management Area - Richland Creek HUC # 0307010111 Rx Number Acres Dispersed Recreation Areas w/Vegetation Management 7.E.2 285.2 Management, Maintenance & Restoration of Plant Associations 9.H 164.3

TOTAL NATIONAL FOREST ACRES 449.5

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OCONEE NF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREAS

Oconee River- Big Creek 0307010106

Appalachee River- lower- 0307010109

Oconee River- Greenbrier Creek 0307010107

Little River- Richland upper- Creek 0307010114 0307010111 Oconee River- Sugar Creek 0307010110

Murder Creek Little River- 0307010116 lower- 0307010115

Ocmulgee River-Big Sandy Creek 0307010310

Big Cedar Creek 0307010117

Ocmulgee River-Rum Creek 0307010313

Figure 4- 4. Oconee Watershed Management Areas with Forest Ownership Highlighted

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CHAPTER 5 MONITORING AND EVALUATION MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Monitoring and evaluation provide information to determine whether programs and projects are meeting Forest Plan direction, and whether the cost anticipated to implement the Forest Plan coincides with actual costs. Monitoring and evaluation is required by NFMA implementing regulations (36 CFR 219.12(k)) to determine whether requirements of the regulations and Forest Plan are being met.

This Chapter establishes Monitoring Questions that are to be answered over the course of Forest Plan implementation. Monitoring questions address whether the desired conditions, goals and objectives of the Forest Plan are being met and whether Forest Plan standards are effective. Monitoring Questions are part of the Forest Plan and are stated in terms that will direct what will be monitored, but are not so specific as to address how monitoring will be accomplished.

Monitoring Questions will be further refined during Forest Plan implementation into Monitoring Elements and Task Sheets, which are more detailed, specific and measurable than the Monitoring Questions themselves. Monitoring Elements and Task Sheets may be modified and prioritized to guide monitoring activities over the course of Forest Plan implementation. The Monitoring Summary Table and sample Task Sheet (Appendix G) demonstrate the relationships between Forest Plan Goals, Objectives, Standards and Monitoring Questions, and indicate the nature of Monitoring Elements and monitoring details that are to be further developed during Forest Plan implementation. The Monitoring Summary Table and sample Task Sheet are presented here only for information and may be modified as needed to address changes in needs, priorities, availability of personnel and funding.

The concept of adaptive management is foundational for planning and Forest Plan implementation in a dynamic environment. Regulations require that Forest Plans be revised periodically (36 CFR 219.10(g)). However, Forest Plans may need to be more dynamic to account for changed resource conditions (such as large storms or insect outbreaks), new information or findings of science, or new regulations or policies. An effective monitoring and evaluation program is essential for determining when these needs may exist and facilitating quick resolution of a need for change.

The Monitoring Questions were developed to address three types of monitoring:

• Implementation monitoring – addressing whether the Forest Plan is being carried out • Effectiveness monitoring – dealing with whether desired conditions are resulting • Validation monitoring – to determine if information used in developing the Forest Plan has changed

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CHAPTER 5 CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS

MONITORING Monitoring and evaluation provide information that can be used to keep Forest Plans AND current. Key results and findings will be used to determine if changes are needed in EVALUATION goals, objectives, standards, the monitoring questions themselves or research needs.

MONITORING Monitoring and evaluation are distinct activities. The monitoring phase generally includes QUESTIONS the collection of data and information, either by observation, direct measurement or compiling data from appropriate sources. Evaluation is the analysis of this data and information, and is used to assess if the Forest Plan is being implemented correctly and whether it needs to be changed. Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluations will be reported annually in the Forest Monitoring and Evaluation Report.

Monitoring and evaluation may lead to adjustments of programs, projects, or activities or to changes or amendment to the Forest Plan itself. Alternatively, they may be used to recommend changes in laws, regulations, and policies that affect both the Forest Plan and project implementation (FSM 1922.7).

Forest Plan amendments and revisions should be responsive to changes that affect the Forest Plan, and may be needed at any time if a Forest Plan becomes out of date in some way. Within an adaptive management framework, the need to amend or revise the Forest Plan may result from:

• Recommendations of an interdisciplinary team, based on evaluation and monitoring results • Changes in agency policy and regulations • Planning errors found during Forest Plan implementation • Changes in physical, biological, social, or economic conditions

The evaluation of findings under the following Monitoring Questions will lead forest managers to these determinations.

MONITORING QUESTIONS

1. Are rare ecological communities being protected, maintained, and restored?

A Forest Plan goal, along with related objectives and standards, are designed to maintain and restore rare communities. To monitor accomplishment of these provisions and the effects that overall Forest Plan implementation will have on rare communities, trends in the number of occurrences, locations and conditions, and effects of maintenance and restoration activities will be tracked.

2. Are landscape- and stand-level composition, structure, and function of major forest communities within desirable ranges of variability?

Success in maintaining and restoring composition, structure, and function of forest ecosystems within desired ranges of variability is reflected by both changes in forest condition and by levels of management and other effects that are shaping these communities. Monitoring will include tracking the abundance of major forest cover and/or community types and levels of management activities conducted to maintain and restore desired conditions. Trends in occurrence and habitats of Management Indicator Species will be monitored to help indicate effects of national forest management within selected communities.

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CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 5

Table 5- 1. Species Selected as Management Indicators of Composition, Structure, and Function of Forest Communities

Indicator Reasons for Selection MONITORING Hooded Warbler Selected to help indicate the effects of management on QUESTIONS (Wilsonia citrina) species associated with mature mesic deciduous forest. The species is closely associated with bottomlands and moist deciduous forests with fairly dense understories. It is relatively effectively monitored. Red-cockaded Federally-listed T&E species is highly responsive to habitat Woodpecker (Picoides changes induced through active forest management. It is borealis) effectively monitored. It serves as an indicator of the effectiveness of management in maintaining mature pine forests in open conditions. Field Sparrow (Spizella Selected to help indicate the effects of management on pusila) species associated with woodlands, savannas, and grasslands. It is associated with frequently burned open habitats, as well as habitats with scattered saplings or shrubs in tall weedy or herbaceous cover. It serves as indicator of the effectiveness of management efforts to restore and maintain these communities. It is effectively monitored.

3. Are key successional stage habitats being provided?

Forest goals, objectives, and standards have been established for maintaining a balance between the early, mid-, and late-successional habitat conditions. Some wildlife species depend on early- successional forests, while others depend on late-successional forests. Trends in successional conditions and abundance of key successional habitats, such as high-elevation early-successional habitat, mature forest interiors, old growth, and permanent wildlife openings, will be monitored. Trends in occurrence of Management Indicator Species selected to help indicate effects of management on successional habitats will be monitored.

Table 5- 2. Species Selected as Management Indicators of Successional Habitats Indicator Reasons for Selection Prairie Warbler Selected to help indicate the effects of management on (Dendroica discolor) species associated with early successional forest. The species is closely associated with this habitat. It is relatively effectively monitored. Chestnut-sided Warbler Selected to help indicate the effects of management on (Dendroica pensylvanica) species associated with high elevation early successional forest. It is effectively monitored. It serves as an indicator of the effectiveness of management in maintaining this habitat. Acadian Flycatcher Selected to help indicate the effects of management on (Empidonax virescens) species associated with mature riparian forest. It is closely associated with mature deciduous forest along streams and bottomland hardwoods. It serves as indicator of the effects of management on this community. It is effectively monitored. Table continued next page.

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Indicator Reasons for Selection MONITORING Ovenbird (Seiurus Ovenbird is selected to help indicate effects to species QUESTIONS aurocapillus) – associated with forest interior in the mountains. It is Chattahoochee NF; strongly associated with mature forest interior and is Wood Thrush (Hylocichla common enough to effectively monitor. mustelina) – Oconee NF Wood Thrush is selected to help indicate effects to species associated with forest interior in the Piedmont. It is closely associated with forest interior and is common enough to effectively monitor. Scarlet Tanager (Piranga Selected to help indicate the effects of management on olivacea) species associated with mature upland oak communities. It is closely associated with this community and is effectively monitored. Swainson’s Warbler Selected to help indicate the effects of management on (Limnothlypis swainsonii) species associated with canebrakes, tangles, and thick – Oconee NF shrubby understories, and open bottomland hardwoods and mixed forests. It is correlated with forested riparian areas with fairly closed canopy and dense undergrowth. It is relatively easily monitored. Pine Warbler (Dendrioca Selected to help indicate the effects of management on pinus) species associated with pine and pine-oak forests. It is closely associated with forests with some pine component and is an indicator of the effects of management in restoring and maintaining pine forests. It is effectively monitored.

4. How well are key terrestrial habitat attributes being provided?

Special habitat attributes such as hard and soft mast, den trees, snags, and downed wood are necessary elements for certain species. A variety of Forest Plan goals, objectives, and standards provide for the protection, restoration, and maintenance of these elements. Trends in the abundance and condition of key terrestrial habitat attributes and associated Management Indicator Species will be monitored.

Table 5- 3. Species Selected as Management Indicators of Key Terrestrial Habitat Attributes Indicator Reasons for Selection Pileated Woodpecker Selected to help indicate the effects of management on (Dryocopus Pileatus) maintaining the desired condition relative to the abundance of snags. This species requires large snags for nesting and feeding. The occurrence of this species is correlated with forested habitats containing abundant large dead trees and fallen logs, habitat components also used by a variety of other species.

5. What is the status and trend of aquatic habitat conditions in relationship to aquatic communities?

The Forest Plan provides for protection and restoration of riparian ecosystems, wetlands, and aquatic systems and for assuring that aquatic habitat conditions are suitable to maintain native aquatic communities. Conditions and trends in the overall health of streams will be monitored as well as water quality parameters and physical conditions of the aquatic habitats.

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6. What are status and trends of forest health threats on the forest? MONITORING QUESTIONS Measures designed to control or mitigate negative effects of insects, diseases, native and nonnative invasive species, air pollution, and high fuel levels are important aspects of this Forest Plan. Trends in occurrence and effects will be monitored.

7. What are the status and trends of federally-listed species and species with viability concerns on the forest?

Contribution to conservation and recovery of federally-listed threatened and endangered species is an important goal of this Forest Plan. Trends in occurrence or abundance of these species will be monitored, along with levels of management activities implemented for the purpose of achieving recovery. Some threatened and endangered species have been selected as Management Indicator Species because of their critical dependence on national forest management for recovery.

Table 5- 4. Monitoring for Threatened and Endangered Species INDICATOR REASONS FOR SELECTION Red-cockaded Trends in populations of this species will be used to help Woodpecker (Picoides indicate effectiveness of management activities designed borealis) specifically to meet recovery objectives for this species. (See also Monitoring Question 2.) Smooth coneflower Trends in populations of this species will be used to help (Echinacea laevigata) indicate effectiveness of management activities designed specifically to meet recovery objectives for this species.

Maintaining habitat capable of supporting viable populations of native and desired nonnative species is also an important goal of the Forest Plan. Many objectives and standards are designed to meet this goal. Monitoring will focus on selected plant and animal communities and species as determined by priorities set through periodic reviews.

8. What are the trends for demand species and their use?

The Forests provide large public ownership with opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and collection of special forest products. Monitoring of some game species populations and/or harvest levels are done in coordination with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Some of these species are selected as Management Indicator Species where effects of national forest management are important to meeting public demand. Some species that are collected as special forest products will be monitored through management of the permitting process.

Table 5- 5. Demand Species Selected as Management Indicators Indicator Reasons for Selection Black Bear, White-Tailed Selected to help indicate the effects of management in Deer meeting public demand for these species. These are commonly hunted species and monitoring will be in conjunction with Georgia Wildlife Resources Division

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9. Are high quality, nature-based recreation experiences being provided, and MONITORING what are the trends? QUESTIONS The Forests offer a unique combination of nature based dispersed recreation, including undeveloped settings, built environments reinforcing natural character, and wildland settings that complement enjoyment of special places. The Forest Plan attempts to provide for safe, natural, well-designed, accessible, and well-maintained recreational opportunities for all visitors. Monitoring will include structured surveys to check visitor experiences as well as tracking changes in facilities, trails, visitor safety, and accessibility.

10. What are the status and trends of recreation use impacts on the environment?

This Forest Plan is committed to providing recreational opportunities that are compatible with stewardship of forest resources. Site condition surveys will be used to monitor the effects of recreation use across a variety of settings.

11. What is the status and trend of wilderness character?

Wilderness character is comprised of both human and biophysical elements. Monitoring the human elements requires monitoring trends in the human experiences, i.e. solitude, crowding, etc., as well as trends in the use patterns and visitor impacts. User surveys and trailhead data will allow for tracking trends among visitors. Monitoring physical elements is important for tracking changes to the natural systems due to natural and human influences within and outside the wilderness. Although there are many components to the physical element, air quality is viewed as a basic indicator of wilderness health. Additionally, changes that are occurring in wilderness due to the fire regime, especially in fire dependent communities, will be monitored.

12. What are the status and trends of Wild and Scenic River conditions?

The two main elements in determining the eligibility and suitability of a river for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System are a free-flowing condition and the presence of Outstandingly Remarkable Values. Rivers determined to be eligible (or eligible and suitable) that have not yet been designated by Congress must have those elements protected until a further designation is assigned. Monitoring changes to these elements will help us evaluate our management of these rivers on our forests.

13. Are the scenery and recreation settings changing, and why?

Scenery and recreational settings are managed by establishing management direction for Scenic Integrity Objectives (SIO) and Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) classes. Management of scenery and settings are essential in the management of recreational experiences and the quality of the environment. Changes in scenic quality of the forest and the recreation settings will be monitored.

14. Are heritage sites being protected?

Compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act is essential during implementation of this Forest Plan. The requirement that sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places be identified and protected before ground disturbing activities occur must be met. Monitoring will be done to assess how well sites are being identified for protection and whether site protection measures are effective in preventing site loss.

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15. Are watersheds maintained (and where necessary restored) to provide resilient and stable conditions to support the quality and quantity of water MONITORING necessary to protect ecological functions and support intended beneficial uses? QUESTIONS

This Forest Plan provides for management of watersheds to provide resilient and stable conditions to support the quality and quantity of water necessary to protect ecological functions and support intended beneficial water uses. Numerous best management practices are established as standards for practices to be carrying out during implementation of the Forest Plan. Monitoring will review implementation and effectiveness of Forest Plan Standards in protecting soil and water resources.

16. What are the conditions and trends of riparian area, wetland and floodplain functions and values?

Riparian ecosystems restoration and management is important to maintain aquatic resources and values. Desired conditions, including the composition and structure of vegetation, equipment limitations, maintaining ground cover and stable stream-banks are established in the Forest Plan. Floodplains and wetlands are to be protected. Riparian management practices and standards, ground cover, stream-bank stability, wetland and floodplain status will be monitored.

17. How do actual outputs and services compare with projected? [36 CFR 219.12(k)1]

The 1982 NFMA implementing regulations require that outputs and services will be monitored and compared to those projected in the Forest Plan. Trends in forest products, mineral leasing and surface rights, access and road conditions, Forest Plan implementation costs, and special uses will be tracked and compared to projections made at the time the Forest Plan was developed.

18. Are silvicultural requirements of the Forest Plan being met?

The 1982 NFMA implementing regulations also require monitoring of specific silvicultural requirements. Silvicultural practices, regeneration establishment, harvest methods, harvest unit size, and land suitability for timber production will be monitored and evaluated to determine if and when changes may be needed.

19. Are Forest Plan objectives and standards being applied and accomplishing their intended purpose?

Periodic review of objectives and standards established in the Forest Plan is called for to assure that desired condition are being achieved and that these requirements will stay current given Forest Plan modifications, changed conditions and new information that accumulate over time. Implementation and effectiveness of objectives and standards will be tracked and periodically evaluated.

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RESEARCH NEEDS RESEARCH NEEDS

The Forest Service Research Branch is the largest forestry research organization in the world and a national and international leader in forest conservation. Agency research contributes to the advancement of science and the conservation of many of our Nation's most valuable natural resources, both on private lands and the National Forests. Research needs identified during planning, monitoring and evaluation are to be included in formulating overall research programs and plans for Forest Service Research to support or improve management of the National Forests.

Research and monitoring are related activities that help to meet information needs for adaptive management of national forests. Research involves rigorous study under controlled conditions, following the scientific method. Forest Service research activities include study planning, design, quality control, peer review and relatively rigid publication standards. Monitoring is generally conducted under less controlled conditions and results are often more general in contrast with research.

Research needs for management of the National Forests are to be identified during planning and periodically reviewed during monitoring and evaluation of implemented Forest Plans (36 CFR 219.28). Research needs identified while monitoring the implementation of the Forest Plan will be reported in Annual Monitoring and Evaluation Reports. At its inception; however, the plan can identify areas of concern that can be the subject of “research needs.”

There is a need for more information on the appropriate buffer corridor for a physiographic area or zone given the goals and objectives of managing riparian area ecosystems. We need to know more about how we can best determine the effectiveness of riparian corridor buffers to meet the intent of management. Research is extant relative to sediment and nutrient loading/temperature but other functions and values in the riparian area are not as well studied. One example is large woody debris recruitment. Another is the amount and characteristics of large woody debris as habitat both within streams and on their banks. Recreation impacts on water quality and riparian areas, specifically OHVs and equestrian use, are topics for which more information is needed. Responses of riparian-associated species to catastrophic natural effects as well as periodic events like moderate to severe drought also need to be better understood.

Forest management actions have also been studied for years and will be the subject of monitoring and evaluation under this plan. Specifically; however, the effects of tree cutting and the use of prescribed burning on some Threatened and Endangered species habitat use and their distribution and abundance could bear further research. For example, can management create habitat niches that will be successfully occupied, expanding the population and distribution of T&E species? Effects of prescribed burning, particularly growing season burns, on invertebrate diversity and abundance should be researched.

It could be helpful to more fully understand the market dynamics of wood products that have a very large procurement area of several hundreds of miles or even international markets. It may be that very carefully targeted sale strategies could generate large revenues from low intensity harvest.

Threatened and endangered species research is needed to fully understand their ecological relationships. For plants, information on soil nutrient status, moisture regimes, light regimes, genetics, pollinating species, vectors for seed dispersal, germination and

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CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FORESTS CHAPTER 5 growth conditions, and so on would all help to design practices to conserve the species and expand their population and area occupied. RESEARCH NEEDS The correlation of modern human recreational use of the forest to pre-historic use would be an interesting light on how humans relate to the land and how technology may have changed that. It could also provide some ability to predict the locations, nature, and extent of recreational impacts on cultural resources generally or even of specific eras.

Specific case studies are needed for the feasibility of operational use of remote sensing to reduce costs while maintaining or increasing quality of resource data. For example, a remote sensing application to determine the extent of privet, a nonnative invasive species, could provide rapid assessment of the problem and prioritized response.

Models of the forest capability to provide various types of recreation to specified quality standards are needed to position the national forest on the recreation setting continuum and to know how much recreation opportunity can be provided in total.

Localized air quality data is needed. Initially this may be more of an inventory need but once localized data is available it may lead to research on how and why it changes. Of particular interest would be research to fill in any data gaps on how the Forest Service affects air quality under various environmental conditions. (SAMAB Rpt. 3, Pg. 63)

The latest genetic knowledge needs to be used to continue to work to restore American chestnut to the Southern Appalachians. If seedlings were to be available, guidance for out-planting; site selection, site preparation, and so on will be needed.

Research is needed for biological control agents of pests of all kinds. The public prefers these to pesticides of all kinds. Research is also needed to ensure that biological controls do not themselves become pests. In particular, public acceptance or rejection of genetically engineered organisms in order to achieve disease resistance needs to be studied. For example, is there a public consensus that restoration of chestnut is more important than purity of its genetic makeup?

Research of several types is needed to help develop a consensus answer of just what “restored” conditions would be for any community or process being restored. Field tools and techniques are needed to select restoration community types, their structure, their composition, and to plan for them to be sustained on the landscape. When reference sites are used, research help may be needed to select them, or to compile data across reference sites in a comparable way.

For future cycles of revision, it appears that existing tools need to be extended to be full ecological succession models capable of forecasting long-term consequences of action or inaction. Better understanding is needed about the development of old growth and how long it is likely to maintain itself. Growth and yield projections need to include natural catastrophic events and accelerated mortality with age.

Research is needed on practical low-cost remote automatic monitoring systems that can give near-continuous feedback for critical needs. Public acceptance or rejection of such technology needs to be investigated.

A refined ability to project demands for goods and services such as (water, utilities, roads and public facilities) in Georgia is needed to stay ahead of urban pressures. In particular, the Forest Service may find itself struggling not to become a city park; that is, to find a recreational niche appropriate to the Forest Service mission and one that can be maintained in the face of mounting pressures.

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Research help may be needed to validate and refine a GIS-based rare communities RESEARCH model by collecting data at rare community locations in order to improve the predictive NEEDS capability of the model.

Research help may be needed to localized fire/fuels models used in fire behavior programs. Specifically, the conditions under which green fuels become available needs to be better understood. Predicted fire behavior of lightening ignitions in different fuel and weather conditions and without active suppression needs to be better understood.

The operational old growth definitions need to be validated with a robust set of data to examine the range of variability compared to old growth parameters. Old growth community definitions need refined based on such analysis.

Research is needed on self-policing, self-reporting systems (e.g., incentive-based reporting) as a monitoring tool such as web-based voluntary data submission. Why will people submit data we may need? How can we design systems to reliably obtain data? How do we validate who is reporting and who is not, and adjust results accordingly?

A GIS-based, semi-automated riparian area delineation model is needed that will accurately map and quantify riparian area size, shape, and extent. From this basis, a predictor of characteristics is needed to serve as a management tool to meet resource needs.

A localized sediment production model is needed that will assess public and private land conditions and produce results to base prioritization of effort and expenditure to get the greatest return for the investment.

Research is needed to develop and test forest health models that produce a dynamic hazard rating and reflect change through time as an aid to making better decisions before crises occur.

Research help may be needed to develop a model that relates FIA, CISC, GIS, TNC (NatureServe) plant association and other vegetation data into inter-active systems.

Research help may be needed to refine estimates of particulate matter concentrations down-wind of prescribed burns in order to comply with EPA air quality constraints. (SAMAB Rpt. 3, Pg. 64)

Quantitative estimates of neo-tropical migratory breeding bird population response to management actions are needed to refine and improve habitat objective amounts and distributions.

There is a need to better understand the natural dynamics of amphibian populations and behavior in response to the drying up of intermittent and perennial streams in drought years, partial or complete canopy removal whether by natural events or managed change, changes in water nutrient status, changes in leaf litter depth following burning, and changes in large down woody material volume and condition both within and outside the riparian area.

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Approximate Conversions

When the unit of measure you know is in the second column, multiply by the factor shown to find the equivalent in the unit of measure shown in the fourth column.

English to Metric Metric to English

Length Length mm millimeters 0.04 inches in in inches 2.5 centimeters cm cm centimeters 0.4 inches in ft feet 30 centimeters cm m meters 3.3 feet ft yd yards 0.9 meters m m meters 1.1 yards yd mi miles 1.6 kilometers km km kilometers 0.6 miles mi

Area Area square square in² square square cm² centimeters 0.16 inches in² 6.5 cm² inches centimeters Square square yd² square square m² meters 1.2 yards ft² 0.09 m² feet meters square square mi² km² kilometers 0.4 miles square square yd 0.8 m (10,000 ² yards meters ² ha hectares 2.5 acres m²) square square mi² 2.6 km² miles kilometers acres 0.4 hectares ha

Mass (weight) Mass (weight) oz ounces 28 grams g g grams 0.035 ounces oz lb pounds 0.45 kilograms kg kg kilograms 2.2 pounds lb metric short (1,000 short tons 0.9 metric ton t ton 1.1 tons kg) (2000 lb)

Volume Volume tsp teaspoons 5 milliliters mL milliliters fluid fl Tbsp tablespoons 15 milliliters mL mL 0.03 ounces oz in³ cubic inches 16 milliliters mL milliliters cubic mL 0.06 inches in³ fl oz fluid ounces 30 milliliters mL L liters 2.1 pints pt c cups 0.24 liters L L liters 1.06 quarts qt pt pints 0.47 liters L L liters 0.26 gallons gal cubic cubic feet qt quarts 0.95 liters L m³ meters 35 ft³ gal gallons 3.8 liters L cubic cubic ft³ cubic feet 0.03 cubic meters m³ m³ meters 1.3 yards yd³

yd³ cubic yards 0.76 cubic meters m³

Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology website at “http://ts.nist.gov/ts/htdocs/200/202/conv.htm

Appendices

Draft Environmental Impact United States Department of Statement for the Revised Agriculture

Forest Service Land Management Plan Southern Region

GEORGIA

Management Bulletin R8-MB 106B February 2003 Appendices

Draft Environmental Impact United States Department of Statement for the Revised Agriculture

Forest Service Land Management Plan Southern Region

GEORGIA

Management Bulletin R8-MB 106B February 2003